The Return of Byron Buxton is Finally Upon Us (for Real This Time)

The Minnesota Twins are fresh off a series victory against the Los Angeles Angels. Their lineup was non-existent in the first game. The rally sausage then made an appearance and woke them up. On Friday, when the Cincinnati Reds come to town, they’ll have another weapon at their disposal. Byron Buxton is back, again .

Byron Buxton returns to the Minnesota Twins

Superstar Byron Buxton hit the injured list on August 12th , after leaving a game against the Kansas City Royals. His ailment was described as “hip discomfort”, and it was originally supposed to hold him out for only a short time. When he returns to the lineup on Friday, he will have missed exactly one month.

The Minnesota Twins sent Buxton across town to the Saints, earlier this month, to play in some rehab games. He picked up a single and ran down some fly balls in centerfield, before his effort to return was thwarted.

Byron was tossed from his final rehab game , last week, but he wouldn’t have finished it anyway. He later admitted that his hip pain had returned, earlier that evening. The next day, Buck went back on the shelf .

He made it clear, however, that his season was not over. Reports since have noted his determination to get back on the field ASAP… and not in St. Paul. Neither Buxton nor Correa will be at (or near) 100%, for this stretch run. But it’s too late in the season to worry about that.

So, the Twins brought a couple of minor league prospects to Target Field this week, so Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, Max Kepler and Manuel Margot could get simulated at-bats, against real pitching. Those live sessions will continue on Thursday, which is an off-day on the schedule .

What do the Twins get from Byron Buxton?

Byron Buxton has been the Twins second most valuable player this season by fWAR . He has avoided the designated hitter route, and remained available to play centerfield on a daily basis. That is what Rocco Baldelli is looking for when he returns to the lineup on Friday.

Related: Twins Draw Up Unique Plan to Prepare Buxton, Correa for Return from IL

Buxton has a 137 OPS+ this season which is the second highest tally of his career. In his last 46 games, dating back to June 7, the Twins centerfield has a slash line of .325/.388/.675 with 13 home runs . He is playing an expected exceptional level of defense while also being the best hitter in the lineup.

Matt Wallner has been among the lone productive hitters of late, but Royce Lewis seemed to snap out of a funk on Wednesday night. On the other end of the spectrum, the Minnesota Twins are still waiting for Jose Miranda to find himself again, and Carlos Correa remains on the shelf .

Miranda has proven he can get hot, at any time, and Correa has recently suggested he will be back soon. If those things are to be believed, Minnesota is suddenly a dangerous team heading into the postseason.

Related: Carlos Correa Eyeing Specific Return Date… but Hasn’t Told the Minnesota Twins Yet

Buxton is just three games shy from playing the second-most games of his career, and 10 more games will give him his second-ever 100 game season. It’s all great news for the Twins, and even better if there is staying power.

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