Twins' All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton is back
The Twins have reinstated Byron Buxton from the 10-day injured list, the team announced. Carson McCusker was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul as a corresponding move.
Despite Minnesota's recent fire sale, Buxton, who has been sidelined with left ribcage inflammation since July 27, has made it known that he is sticking with the Twins no matter what. Although it's unlikely, Buxton's decision to stay in Minnesota could pay off as soon as this season, as since the Twins dismantled their roster on July 31, they have gone 5-4 with a +9 run differential.
While keeping expectations reasonable, if Buxton, who has accrued 3.9 fWAR with a 145 wRC+ this season, continues where he left off before suffering his recent injury, Luke Keaschall continues to dominate major league pitching, and Pablo López returns soon, then Minnesota has a plausible chance to make a run at the final American League Wild Card spot.
Carson McCusker has yet to receive an everyday opportunity in MLB
The Twins recalled McCusker on Saturday as a corresponding move to placing Matt Wallner on the paternity list. Minnesota gave McCusker the opportunity to start as the designated hitter against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday at Target Field, and he had one single in three at-bats before being taken out of the game to give Trevor Larnach a plate appearance.
The Twins previously promoted McCusker back in May, and he was only on the roster for 11 days before being sent back down to Triple-A St. Paul. In his first stint in the big leagues, McCusker only had six at-bats across five games.
Although McCusker, 27, started the season hot for the St. Paul Saints, he has notably regressed since then; he had just 30 hits in 169 at-bats during June and July after going 49-for-147 with ten home runs in April and May. He has shown promise, but the Twins appear to have been right in their decision to keep McCusker in Triple-A for the majority of the season.
Buxton and the Twins set to take on struggling Yankees in New York
The Twins have historically struggled significantly against the Yankees, especially at Yankee Stadium, but Minnesota has actually been playing better baseball than New York has lately. The Twins, who have won four of their last five games, are scheduled to begin a three-game series against the Yankees, who have lost seven of their previous 10 games, at 6:05 p.m. CT on Monday at Yankee Stadium.