The Minnesota Twins are set to begin a three-game series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium at 6:05 p.m. CDT on Friday. In addition to the exciting series about to be underway, there's plenty of other recent news regarding the Twins.
Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers to begin rehab assignment
Jeffers will begin a rehab assignment tonight as the St. Paul Saints' designated hitter, according to the Twins' transaction log. Jeffers has been on the injured list since May 19 with a left hamate bone fracture. Before landing on the IL, Jeffers slashed .295/.408/.541 (164 wRC+) with seven home runs and 26 RBI over 37 games this season.
Twins center fielder Byron Buxton still sidelined with hip injury
Buxton, who is slashing .268/.325/.573 with 25 home runs this season, is out of the Twins' lineup against the Yankees tonight, marking the fourth straight game he will watch from the bench. The star center fielder is day-to-day with a right hip impingement, The Athletic's Dan Hayes reported earlier in the week.
Buxton has strong chance of starting in All-Star Game
Phase 2 of the MLB All-Star Game voting process has officially closed. Buxton ranked second among AL outfielders with 20% of the votes at the time of the last update. Meanwhile, Mike Trout ranked first at 23%, Aaron Judge third at 19%, Cody Bellinger fourth at 16%, and Jesús Sánchez fifth at 12%. It seems likely Buxton will be among the top three outfielders in votes, which would mean he will start in the Midsummer Classic if he's healthy.
Twins prospects Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper selected for All-Star Futures Game
Jenkins, an outfielder, and Culpepper, a shortstop, will join manager Derek Shelton in representing the Twins in an All-Star Game event. Shelton will be part of Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider's American League staff for the All-Star Game, while Jenkins and Culpepper will play in the All-Star Futures Game, MLB announced. Of course, there's a possibility Jenkins and/or Culpepper won't play in the Futures Game and will instead be on the Twins' 26-man roster.
In 63 games with Triple-A St. Paul this season, Culpepper, the Twins' No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has hit .272/.376/.492 (123 wRC+) with 14 home runs, 43 RBI and 15 stolen bases. Meanwhile, Jenkins, Minnesota's No. 1 prospect, has slashed .272/.390/.430 (116 wRC+) with two home runs, 11 RBI and seven stolen bases over 31 games with the Saints this year.
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