{"id":701258,"date":"2026-05-17T10:48:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T10:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/701258\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T10:48:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T10:48:17","slug":"mn-twins-release-some-good-news-on-injury-front-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/701258\/","title":{"rendered":"MN Twins Release Some Good News on Injury Front"},"content":{"rendered":"

The (20-25)<\/a> Minnesota Twins<\/a> have been bludgeoned on the injury front<\/a>, of late. Early this season, their health problems have mostly stayed local to the pitching staff\u2026 but it\u2019s been unrelenting, wiping out most of their starting rotation and multiple relievers, at one point or another.<\/p>\n

Currently, FOUR MN Twins starters are sitting on the injured list \u2014 Pablo Lopez<\/a>, David Festa<\/a>, Mick Abel<\/a> and, most recently, Taj Bradley<\/a> (pec<\/a>). Worse yet, this 2026 injury bug has recently spread to the lineup too, and in the worst possible spot.<\/p>\n

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Larnach smacks homer in return<\/p>\n

The Twins are playing their National League neighbor tonight, the Milwaukee Brewers<\/a>. And for the third straight game, Byron Buxton<\/a> is not available to hit or play center field because of a hip injury. More on him momentarily.<\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, right fielder Trevor Larnach<\/a> \u2014 who also missed the last two games (back tightness) \u2014 did return to the Twins lineup tonight. And he did so in grandiose fashion, smacking a third-inning solo home run in his second plate appearance.<\/p>\n

This season, after playing center field for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Byron Buxton is off to one of the better starts of his 12-year MLB career<\/a>, smacking 15 homers in his first 40 games, good for third-most in baseball<\/a>, to go with a .260 batting average and .899 OPS (145 OPS+).<\/p>\n

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Unfortunately, Buxton has been sitting out the last couple games due to an injured hip. However, the Minnesota Twins brought some good news to the ballpark Saturday, regarding their All-Star center fielder.<\/p>\n

Byron Buxton injury update brings more positivity<\/p>\n

As relayed by Dan Hayes (The Athletic)<\/a>, Buck returned to the field pregame this afternoon, for the first time since suffering his hip injury. Given the quotes from him and manager Derek Shelton (below) the 29-year-old is very close to a return, but they aren\u2019t in a hurry to rush him back either.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s probably (going to) get more time than anyone else, just depending on how he feels. The actual answer to that is I don\u2019t know; we\u2019d have to see where he\u2019s at and see what level of availability he has moving forward. \u2026 We\u2019ll have a better idea after those baseball activities, but the fact that he\u2019s out there moving around, I think we\u2019re trending in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Derek Shelton \u2013 The Athletic<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cJust to get out here and do some work definitely feels good. (Saturday) felt good. Obviously, it\u2019s a little bit warmer, so that helps. But to be able to get out and run, I did my fielding stuff. I\u2019ve got to do more stuff in the weight training room. To be able to test it out, it feels good. Two days ago, I definitely wasn\u2019t doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Byron Buxton \u2013 The Athletic<\/a><\/p>\n

After stumbling out of the gates a bit during his first ten games of the season, Buxton is batting .290 with a 1.017 OPS<\/a> in his last 30 appearances. Most importantly, Byron has been been healthy, which has always been the one thing holding him back throughout the course of his career.<\/p>\n

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While Sunday\u2019s contest doesn\u2019t appear guaranteed for Buck \u2014 because the MN Twins being so cautious with this injury \u2014 but he should be back sooner than later, and without a trip to the injured list.<\/p>\n

MN Twins on verge of getting Taj Bradley back too<\/p>\n

The last injury update we got Saturday was in regard to starting pitcher, Taj Bradley.<\/p>\n

After throwing a short bullpen session late this week, the best pitcher in Minnesota\u2019s rotation so far this season is scheduled to make his first (and likely sole) rehab start Sunday for the St. Paul Saints.<\/p>\n

If all goes well, you\u2019d have to think that his start next week will be in a Minnesota Twins uniform.<\/p>\n

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With eight turns through the rotation so far, Taj Bradley has a 2.87 ERA (3.48 FIP)<\/a> and 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings. With Pablo Lopez out for the year<\/a>, and other starters already sitting on the IL, Bradley can\u2019t just return. He needs to come back and continue to pitch like an ace.<\/p>\n

Matt Wallner<\/a>\u2019s struggles continue at Triple-A<\/p>\n

I attended today\u2019s St. Paul Saints game Saturday, where I got to see recently demoted<\/a> Matt Wallner continue to struggle, in person. The 28-year-old \u201cone of us\u201d outfielder went 0-for-5 at CHS Field today, with a strikeout. Whatever he is working through, the Forest Lake native is a ways away from seeing the light.<\/p>\n

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