Byron Buxton is back on the 10-day Disabled List for the Minnesota Twins due to a lingering fractured toe
The DL carousel continues to spin in the Twin Cities. The Minnesota Twins announced on Wednesday that they have placed Byron Buxton back on the DL. It appears that the right big toe Buxton fractured back in April hasn’t healed yet.
Buxton’s numbers have been dismal since coming back to the team on May 10th. He is batting just .128 with a .146 on-base percentage. He’s had only 2 extra base hits in that span, both doubles. In fact, Buxton has had only one home run all season.
This will be Buxton’s second stint on the DL this season after spending time early in the year for migraines. A foul ball off his right foot during a rehab assignment is the culprit for this latest setback.
Although Buxton’s numbers are dismal at best, he traditionally struggles early on. But, he’s a human highlight reel in center field. That alone has been enough for Paul Molitor to keep him in the majors. Molly explained in an interview yesterday that Buxton has been “swinging off of his heel.” The club has decided to let him “take a little break.” Hopefully we get a healthy second half 2017 Buxton back.
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Replacing Buxton in center is going to be by committee. Expect to see Ryan LaMarre, Max Kepler and maybe even Eddie Rosario covering ground. The Twins also called up RHP Aaron Slegers to assist in a bullpen that needs rest, to say the least. Since Saturday, there have been 24 different pitchers on the mound for Minnesota. Yikes. Slegers looked solid in his debut against the Royals Wednesday night. His debut was 5.1 innings and he gave up only 2 runs.
Santana pulled from rehab assignment; surgeon to be consulted
This was news nobody wanted to hear. Manager Paul Molitor revealed that Ervin Santana will visit a surgeon. Santana’s surgically repaired finger on his pitching hand continues to plague the hurler. Reportedly, the issue this time is swelling in the finger. Santana was pulled from his rehab assignment this week and will see the surgeon again. There is no timetable for his return.
Santana was magnificent last season, going 16-8 with a 3.55 ERA over 33 starts. He is also in a contract year. Not having him in the rotation isn’t all bad news. The Minnesota Twins may be able to parlay his absence into a short-term, low dollar deal to keep Santana in a Twins uniform.
Santana is 35, which is teetering on the brink of old for a pitcher. He has All-Star caliber talent on the mound, which may make for an interesting offseason decision.
Next: How did the Twins fare during the 2017 MLB draft?
Of course, this is all assuming Santana is able to come back this season. If he does, Twinkietown is hoping for 2017 Santana as we turn the corner into the second half. Time will tell. For now, let’s hope that disabled list gets trimmed some in the next few weeks.