CF Byron Buxton avoids IL for now after suffering shoulder injury
Buxton suffered a right shoulder contusion when crashing into the center field wall to make a spectacular running catch against the Royals on Friday night. After meeting with the training staff and manager Derek Shelton, Buxton stayed in the game for the rest of the top half of the third inning. However, when his spot in the lineup came up in the bottom of the inning, Tristan Gray entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Buxton.
Here is Byron Buxton's (spectacular) 3rd inning catch Friday night... which ended in a collision with the center field wall.
— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) June 6, 2026
Buck finished the half-inning, but was pulled by Twins manager Derek Shelton when he reported pain in his right shoulder back in the dugout.
VIDEO… pic.twitter.com/xsGuvfkjnO
Buxton has avoided an IL stint for now. He wasn't in Saturday's lineup, and with an off day on Monday, the center fielder may sit Sunday and return Tuesday. There's a good chance the Twins will have Buxton serve as the designated hitter for an extended period when he returns, as he did when dealing with an injury to the same shoulder last month.
INF Royce Lewis returns to Twins' lineup Saturday after Triple-A stint
The Twins recalled Lewis Saturday morning after the infielder absolutely dominated Triple-A pitching during a 13-game stint with the Saints, slashing .340/.417/.868 (214 wRC+) with eight home runs, four doubles and 19 RBI. Lewis started at second base and hit seventh in the lineup against the Royals on Saturday. He slid over to first base in the ninth inning while Keaschall, who entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, took over second base.
Lewis nearly beat out an infield single in his first at-bat Saturday; he was originally called safe before replay determined he was out. In his second plate appearance, Lewis displayed impressive patience by drawing a walk on six pitches with runners on second and third base. He popped out to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in his third plate appearance before he stranded the winning run on first base by striking out looking on a 3-2 pitch that just clipped the inside part of the zone to end the game, giving Kansas City a 3-2 win.
RHP Mick Abel throws live BP
Abel threw 37 pitches in a two-inning live batting practice at Target Field on Thursday afternoon. According to The Athletic's Dan Hayes, Abel's fastball reached 97 mph during the session. Hayes added that if Abel, who hasn't pitched in a game since April 14, feels good on Friday, he will throw another live BP next week or pitch in a minor-league game. With Bailey Ober expected to miss the whole month due to a mild right flexor strain in his elbow, Abel's progress is a much-needed development for Minnesota.
Scenes from Mick Abel’s live bullpen earlier this afternoon. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/lUbudyBwgU
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) June 4, 2026
OF Alan Roden begins rehab assignment
Roden, who has been on the IL since April 24 due to a torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder, began a rehab assignment with the FCL Twins today, drawing three walks and striking out once in a seven-inning matchup with the FCL Red Sox. Before suffering his injury, Roden had slashed .275/.425/.464 in 19 games with Triple-A St. Paul.
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