Byron Buxton Vaguely “Not at 100%”; Alex Kirilloff To Make MLB Debut in His Place

The Minnesota Twins have lost another player to injury today. In fact, it’s the guy we were all worried about, before yesterday’s game. Byron Buxton will not start in game 2 of the AL Wild Card today, but could be available at some point, according to Rocco Baldelli… We do not know what is ailing him. I’ve seen everything from possible COVID concerns, to lingering “head contusion” problems. Here is what has been reported.

Buxton is not fully healthy this morning, which is why he's not in the starting lineup. Rocco couldn't specify anything more, including whether it's related to the end-of-season injury.

"All I'm going to be able to say is that he's not at 100 percent."

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 30, 2020

WTF Happened?

Questions arose quickly this morning, when the Minnesota Twins released their lineup and Byron Buxton wasn’t on it. We went through some of these same emotions yesterday, when Alex Kirilloff was called up just hours before Game 1. Now, he has been inserted into the lineup for his MLB debut… in an elimination playoff game.

Rocco Baldelli’s explanation of Buxton’s “injury” was weird. Baldelli never wants to tell reporters anything and does a really good job of talking without saying anything… but today was extra vague. You could tell he was struggling, leaving everyone to make their best guess at wtf is happening.

Game 2 ready. https://t.co/sjWVujM3BK #OurSZN pic.twitter.com/o2xPp3uEKf

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 30, 2020

#MNTwins manager Rocco Baldelli says Byron Buxton "isn't feeling 100 percent today," but wouldn't go into any further details.

Buxton was hit by a pitch last weekend and had mild concussion symptoms as a result.

He didn't rule out Buxton coming off the bench. @FOX9

— Jeff Wald (@JeffWaldFox9) September 30, 2020

Alex Kirilloff Debut

As far as Alex Kirilloff, fans should be excited to see him debut today. Kirilloff is a pure hitter and he can hit anyone, including Jose Urquidy. It wouldn’t shock me to see a multi-hit game from Alex today. He’s been at the top of the Twins prospect depth chart since Buxton and Sano came off of it.

He’s someone to be excited about. Not only is he the #1 or #2 Minnesota Twins prospect, but he is top-25 across the MLB. This dude mashes the baseball. But at this point in his career, he isn’t going to affect the game like a healthy Byron Buxton does.

Alex Kirilloff in the 2019 Southern League Playoffs:

Hit .381
Homered in four consecutive games
Drove in 8 and scored 6 runs

This guy lives for the postseason. pic.twitter.com/RixfHUpTOM

— Pensacola Blue Wahoos (@BlueWahoosBBall) September 30, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan