The Twins recently welcomed a pair of key players back from the injured list, returning both center fielder Byron Buxton and shortstop Carlos Correa to the starting lineup. Buxton was activated in advance of yesterday’s game after missing the past month with a hip injury, while Correa has been out for the past two months due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. The duo’s return to action is surely a relief for Twins fans. After all, only Matt Wallner’s 162 wRC+ surpasses Correa’s 152 and Buxton’s 142 figures among the club’s regulars, and the two stars also play key defensive roles at shortstop and center field respectively.
As important as both Correa and Buxton are to the Twins’ pursuit of an AL Wild Card spot and impending postseason push, however, they won’t be in the lineup every day down the stretch. As noted by Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic, manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters earlier today that both players will be in the lineup on a truly game-to-game basis, with the team’s medical staff evaluating them both after each game to determine whether or not they’ll be available to play in the club’s next game.
That aggressive management of the club’s two top players might seem counter-intuitive for a Twins club that’s clinging to a 2.5-game lead over Detroit for the final AL Wild Card spot, but it’s fairly understandable given the pair’s significant injury woes. After all, Buxton’s injury woes throughout his career have been extreme enough that the next game he takes the field for will mean he’s played more games in 2024 with 93 than he has in any season of his 10-year big league career except 2017. While Correa’s injury woes haven’t been quite that extreme, the shortstop has been limited to just 75 games this year by injury and is now attempting to play through plantar fasciitis for the second consecutive September. For a Twins club that hasn’t made it to the ALCS since 2002, keeping Correa and Buxton as healthy as possible for the playoffs is clearly a top priority.
For his part, Correa seems to be on board. The shortstop told reporters (as relayed by Gleeman) that “Realistically, [he’s] not going to play every game” before adding that he wants to be on the field for the Twins “as much as possible” going forward this season. When Correa and Buxton are unable to play, Brooks Lee appears to be the club’s primary backup at shortstop while Willi Castro is the top option in center field.
More from around the AL Central…
- The Guardians are dealing with an injury scare regarding one of their top hitters, as club manager Stephen Vogt told reporters (including Mandy Bell of MLB.com) that outfielder Steven Kwan has been out of the lineup in recent days due to what he described as “back soreness.” While that diagnosis may seem fairly benign, it’s at least somewhat concerning that Vogt added Kwan has been sent for testing to determine the severity of the issue. While it’s nearly impossible for the Guardians to miss the playoffs at this point, the club holds a fairly tenuous three-game lead over the Royals for the AL Central crown, which is likely to come with a bye through the first round of the playoffs. The loss of Kwan, who has excelled as the club’s leadoff hitter with a .291/.364/.419 slash line this year, would surely complicate the club’s hopes of holding onto its present playoff positioning and an lengthy absence could even jeopardize Kwan’s availability in the early rounds of the playoffs. Will Brennan, Angel Martinez, and Daniel Schneemann are among the club’s options in left field while Kwan is unavailable.
- The Tigers have been without Reese Olson for virtually the entire second half this year after the right-hander went on the IL back in July due to a shoulder strain. Fortunately, manager A.J. Hinch told reporters (including Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic) this afternoon that the club hopes to activate Olson from the IL during the club’s upcoming series against the Royals early next week. A healthy and effective return from Olson would be a huge boost for a Detroit club that sits just 2.5 games back of Minnesota for the final AL Wild Card spot, as the 25-year-old righty was in the midst of a breakout season with a 3.23 ERA and 3.13 FIP in 19 starts before being sidelined.
LOUIS LOUIS
Unfortunately the Twins are in a free-fall thanks to the cheap Pohlads. It’s bound to happen when you have Willi Castro as your backup CF and 60% of your rotation are rookies. The bullpen is toast. Castro in CF is a circus.
CO Guardening
Twins needed to add during the off season and during the trade deadline. The Bally Sports thing really hampered their ability to improve a very average roster.
LOUIS LOUIS
No it didn’t. The Pohlads have money.
FahQ
Trading Flaherty looks to have been a mistake perhaps?
Ben Jamin
Flaherty was amazing for us. He would have made us have a nice 1-2 for the playoffs. We did get 2 good prospects for him though. One is killing it in the minors and the other is the starting shortstop in the big leagues. Even if the trade hurts this yr, it could help for yrs to come. ♂️
stymeedone
The Tigers push for the playoffs started after the trade deadline. Flaherty was amazing, but they weren’t even a .500 team with him. The call up of rookies like Hurter, Madden, Jung, Sweeny, Guenther, Dingler, which occurred following their deadline trades, is what has taken them into the playoff hunt. I don’t understand it, and I wouldn’t recommend it as a plan on paper, but it sure has been fun to watch. What Fetters has done with a two man starting staff has been phenomenal.
moteus
I don’t know. It seems to me that the Tiges finally woke up and started playing some really good ball was after Baez went down.
Sorry Javy, I believe I have consistently read that you were one THE GUYS in the locker room. Pretty good shortstop too. I often wonder why they never thought about having the DH take Javy’s spot at bat, and just try to let the pitches help themselves out. Could hardly have played out any worse.
Motor City Beach Bum
Like the other guys said it was the right thing to do. They were under .500 and well behind the last wild card spot at the time. It was smart to get something for Flaherty, and what looked like a light return at the time has since looked much shinier. I was hoping they might circle back to Flaherty in the offseason but the way Hurter and Madden are pitching with Jobe waiting in the wings next year maybe they don’t need to. Who would have thought giving the kids a test drive could turn out so well. Losing Baez and getting a healthy Greene and Carp back was one of the keys, in addition to Fetter’s magic with the pitching. If only Maeda could be fixed we might be 1.5 games back. When they traded Flaherty, I really did not think I’d be saying it at this point in the season, but they could make the playoffs!!!
The Saber-toothed Superfife
Sweeney actually has done well. Multiply 78 ABs x 6 for a full season, and he has nice stats =~30 hrs,~100 RBI.
The Tigers needed a shakeup.
The Saber-toothed Superfife
Actual is 73 x 7
28 hrs
91 RBI
He is not bad. BA needs to improve.
warnbeeb
Baez got hurt and Maeda moved to the bullpen. Yay! Fetter and Hinch got 3-4 little known pitchers to come up, Hurter, Guenther, Madden, Hanifee to throw strikes. Even Sammons.. The opener method of starting games might become the new normal in MLB. Watch out.
The kids are alright! Meadows, Keith, Sweeney, Jung (not so much), Dinger (doing great behind the dish)…and a healthy Kerry Carpenter (the Tigers Bryce Harper) and they are relevant in September for the first time in a decade.
Senor Smoke
Again, Fetter hasn’t “fixed” anybody as is apparent with Maeda, Mize, Manning, Brieske, and several others including Lange. Flaherty simply needed to stand up in the beginning of his windup, did, and the back problems simmered down. His other claim to fame is Lorenzen who has been on the move ever since, is constantly injured, and good for only about long-reliever status. The Tigers’ groupie here who is apparently angling for a dinner date with notorious Tork troll, Evan Pretzel, doesn’t know a pitching coach from a bowling pin. Hurter gives full credit for his success to his pitching coach at Toledo. Olson needs to build his thighs, incredibly skinny for a starter and apparently gave out on him, leaving his shoulder and elbow overworked. These aren’t mysterious things…these are basic things Hinch knows or cares nothing about other than somebody to blame for his despicable lack of character and talent.
Motor City Beach Bum
I was just waiting for Captain Negative to show up and ruin the party. You are the only person on here who isn’t excited right now with the playoff chase and you are in the minority when it comes to your opinions about Fetter, Hinch and Harris. You either just post this crap to be a troll and stir things up or because you are a narcissist and think everyone but you is an idiot. Either way you are annoying Colavito.
warnbeeb
Sounds, again, like he’s resentful of other’s success. Bitter troll.
Hey, SS, go ahead and insult MCBB and me. What a twerp.
Senor Smoke
This is Pretzel’s boy ^ like I said, He assumes I no longer root for the Tigers because….well, how could I if continue telling this page Hinch should have a permanent ban from MLB and be serving time in Leavenworth for a variety of crimes including theft by conversion, RICO statutes involving organized criminal activity, and mail fraud. for fixing the W.S. The Shoeless Joe Jackson of our era.. Ask Pete Rose his opinion of what he did and what Hinch did. Right or wrong in this groupie’s eyes are how many here agree with you. LOL! He continues to use the word “narcissist” when he has no idea what it means and had to Google the spelling. And of course he continues to call me “Colavito” same as his psycho pal who is no longer with us. I’m glad I “annoy” you….maybe enough to learn something about the game you’ve watched for decades and know nothing about.
stymeedone
I’ll give you Maeda, though he has been somewhat better from the bullpen.
Mize is returning from TJ, and next year will give a much better idea on his status. Manning got injured right before they needed him. Breaks was moved to the bullpen and has been useful. Lange has been injured all year. Fetters has come up with a way of putting the young pitchers in the best position to succeed. And they have.
Senor Smoke
And yet you can’t seem to connect the injuries and Fetter’s total lack of understanding about the MLB game….a college coach who’s guys played two or three times a week, and never got close to The Show.. The multitude of injuries involve his training sessions. He’s sent what 6 guys to TJ? How did Jackson Jobe tear up his lower back early last year? Fetter sets the agenda for all the minor leagues in consultation with the front office boys…..Who won’t Cheater Hinch allow to speak to the press? Again, either you know pitching or you don’t and if you don’t know how to watch, then that’s on you.
Motor City Beach Bum
Fetter played A ball and didnt make it to the show like lots of other good coaches. You never played in MLB either did you and you sure aren’t there now or you wouldn’t be on here running your mouth all the time. Why should we put any weight on what you have to say? Why don’t you try just watching for a while.
Senor Smoke
“watching” what, fool? You and these other bar flies sharing your ignorance of the sport you never played at all. And how do I know that? because you don’t know anything…..nothing about the mechanics much less the life of a pro player. You sure are brave online, bozo….I bet IRL you rarely go outside. You have zero idea about Fetter…only what Pretzel tells you to repeat like you have any idea about any ot it. You even type “the show” being too lazy to call it by the proper noun it is..
Motor City Beach Bum
Blah, blah, blah.
warnbeeb
Unfortunately, Casey Mize has never been very good. Especially for a #1 overall. He’s a Jacob Turner, Drew Smyly kinda guy. Serviceable. Will probably hang around for several years and make some change, but, in the end nothing more than a back end, .500 pitcher.
Never be a Cy Young candidate, let alone, an All Star.
Senor Smoke
So “warnbeeb”….is that a paint huffing nickname, sonny boy? You want to know what a “bitter troll” does…..read your pal Beach Bozo’s attacks on me. Of course having no friends IRL and you don’t, maybe you can keep one here if you never tell him he’s little more than a groupie who has no mind or spine of his own. “Twerp”? LOL! no….twerps call themselves names like “warnbeeb”.
Motor City Beach Bum
And now you just resort to insults again that have nothing to do with baseball. Lashing out when someone disagrees with them is what narcissists do Colavito. Try sticking to baseball. No one begrudges you your opinion, we just have our own and don’t agree with you.
Senor Smoke
Run along, mutt….you insult by claiming I insult others….you ain’t even an inch deep.
warnbeeb
Thank you for helping me make my point.
Senor Smoke
This is “journalism” accord to FP fraud Evan Pretzel. He never played, can’t write coherent sentences….uses words like “snuck” instead of “sneaked” and trolls players who laugh at him like Torkelson who he hates with a passion. Behold the “journalism” of the Pretzel and his calculator prose:
“For his 83 pitches, Jobe threw 30 four-seam fastballs (36.1%), 22 sweepers (26.5%), 19 cutters (22.9%) and 12 changeups (14.5%). He generated nine whiffs on 42 swings — a 21.4% whiff rate — with three fastballs, three sweepers, two cutters and one changeup. His fastball averaged 96.4 mph, maxing at 98.4 mph.”
Senor Smoke
Notice he says nothing about a kid bumped up to a new team, with new teamies, with an apartment to move into but for how long…two weeks? The Pretzel doesn’t know or care about any of that….he can’t run it through his calculator so it’s irrelevant. Did he ask Jobe about how much sleep he’s gotten or what his new pitching coach told him? Or where his girlfriend is or how his family back in Oklahoma is doing? Of course not…..real life plays no role in the Pretzel analysis….it has no decimal points.
Motor City Beach Bum
You’re ranting. Take your medicine.
warnbeeb
Who pays attention to Pretzel anyway? I read the FREEP. I listen to the podcast, but his opinions don’t sway me either way. Part of his job is to keep readers engaged. He apparently really gets into SS’s grill. That’s his job.
Motor City Beach Bum
Tigers are 1.5 games back of Minnesota for the final wild card!!!
warnbeeb
He won’t win it, but Hinch should get some MOY votes.
moteus
Agreed. That man had really done quite the admirable job.
Senor Smoke
LOL!
The Saber-toothed Superfife
You get MOY by winning 1 run games, not losing them.
Check out his shifts. How many times, with a guy on second, has Hinch provided a BIG HOLE at second base by shifting up the middle, and the batter just slaps the ball into right field for an RBI.
Look for it and you will see it. Review the tapes. 6-7 games worth at least.
And… I didn’t say I don’t like Hinch.
I don’t subscribe to shifts, any more.than one.or.two.steps.that is….
Senor Smoke
Well, this is a blast watching these kids put on their game faces and walk HARD to the plate like they can’t be beat and turns out they can’t. Colt and Trey Sweeny along with Jung are my favorites along with Tork…an INF that could be together for years. I will grant Cheater Hinch a small concession after watching him blow games for years that he or somebody is managing the pen pretty well in these reliever games. I have no idea how many games they have to win but suffice to say they better win at least 7 of the last 11 to squeak in.
Senor Smoke
BTW, Pretzel and his pod pal juicer calling for a FA shortstop shows us they don’t have a clue about the Tigers’ needs for ’25. Javy will be back. Sweeny is the heir apparent with plenty of others in the bushes including a rejuvenated Gage Workman at Erie, Tork’s teamie at Arizona State and there are others. Of course they want Tork gone, Pretzel calling him “putrid” at one point. Imagine being that envious and hateful toward a 1-1 who hit 31 and drove in 94 last year before Hinch’s tinkering almost left him crazy as Austin Meadows, another Hinch trophy. So IRL what do they need? A world-class starter and closer.. that’s it. There’s enough hitting and more coming as we’ve all seen. With Skubal, Olson, Jobe, and Hurter, with Madden and Mize in tow, another ace would be enough to really go places.
warnbeeb
You gotta watch a little Workman. I’ve seen him in 3 minor league games. Small sample and it doesn’t make me an expert, but he’s muffed a routine play in all 3 games. I’ll be surprised if he’s an every day SS. Sweeney strikes me as a legit SS, but so far, he’s more like Keith is at 2nd. Decent but not a guy who’s going to make a lot of outstanding plays. He’s a big kid and his bat looks to have potential. I’ll definitely give him and Jung a long leash. I see a Keith like trajectory eventually for Jace. He’ll figure it out. The Jung Brothers look like ballplayers.
BTW, that Lee kid who plays 2nd in Erie (seen him in 3 games too) looks legitimate. Smooth at 2nd and the best bat in Erie….at least in the 3 games I saw. I think he’s better than Workman….albeit different position.
And…full disclosure: I saw a few games with Wilken Ramirez, 10-15 years ago. I think it was the Trenton Tigers back then. Oh baby, I thought he was a 5 tool, second coming of Roberto Clemente. I was ready to get my tickets for his 2040 HOF induction ceremony. Alas, small sample sizes don’t necessarily mean much.
The Saber-toothed Superfife
Kumar Rocker
Senor Smoke
I’ve watched a lot of Gage Workman at ASU, sometimes from the dugout and he’s a legit SS in any league. He played 3B at ASU because they had Alika Williams at SS, now in the Pirates organization. He’s dropped the switch-hitting and is now swinging just lefty with a shorter stroke and quicker to the ball with good power. Like I said, he’s in the conversation to play SS for the Tigers when they resolve the Baez issue. You want Trammell-steady at SS, not Iggy flash and let’s balls go by him on hot days. Sweeny is my man now because he’s there but Gage is a baseball player pure and simple.