Byron Buxton Will Play Center Field to Start Rehab Stint in St. Paul

It’s been reported that the Minnesota Twins plan to ramp Byron Buxton up to play center field when he returns to playing baseball, after a hamstring injury put him on the injured list for nearly a month. There will be no ramp up in his rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints, however.

Byron Buxton back in center field

On Tuesday, it was announced that Buxton will play centerfield for the Saints on Wednesday (tomorrow), in his first game since August 1 and his first game in centerfield since August 22, 2022. He’s expected to play 7 innings. In other news, Alex Kirilloff will start his rehab stint simultaneously and DH for St. Paul next to Byron.

Byron Buxton is scheduled to play CF in St. Paul on Wednesday to begin his rehab assignment.

Alex Kirilloff will DH.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) August 29, 2023

It has been over a year since we have seen Byron Buxton in the outfield. We can only hold our breath in hopes that playing center field will help him snap out of his season-long offensive funk. If he can return to the Twins lineup, looking like his old self, it would mean everything to Minnesota’s dreams of a playoff run.

A healthy Alex Kirilloff hitting next to him would be even better. Here’s a look at what the Twins’ postseason lineup might look like with Buck in center field and Kirilloff available vs right-handed pitchers.

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Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan