MN Twins Outfielders Held Out Again; Taj Bradley Takes Another Step
Tonight, the (20-24) Minnesota Twins are playing the first of three games at Target Field against the (24-17) Milwaukee Brewers, trying to win their second straight and fifth in six games.
Of course, that will be easier said than done, since not only are they playing a good team, but they will have to find a way to victory without their superstar center fielder Byron Buxton and right fielder Trevor Larnach, who’s been one of the better hitters in Minnesota’s lineup during the first third of the season.
Byron Buxton, Trevor Larnach miss second-straight game with injuries
This after Buxton was scratched from the lineup Thursday with hip soreness, discomfort that hadn’t improved enough for him to take the field Friday. Larnach is sitting out his second-straight game, as well. His injury is officially listed as “lower-back tightness.”
The good news? Manager Derek Shelton talked to reporters pregame and seemed optimistic that Buxton was better today than he was yesterday. Hopefully, that means he’ll be ready to take his place in center field Saturday, not the injured list.
Byron Buxton out of the lineup for a second straight game. But Derek Shelton thinks he’s trending in the right direction.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 15, 2026
Trevor Larnach out a second straight game with upper back tightness. #MNTwins
Tonight, the MN Twins have the same outfield that they put out on Thursday, a 9-1 win over the Miami Marlins. Austin Martin, who normally plays left field, is instead playing right. James Outman — who had two hits and three RBI in yesterday’s win — is playing left. Ryan Kreidler is subbing for Buxton in center field.
While their hodgepodge lineup did the trick Thursday, and will hopefully help the Twins hang in there on Friday, losing Byron Buxton would be devastating to any hopes this team has of keeping its 2026 season on a competitive track. Not only is Buck their locker room leader, he’s far and away their best position player.
Related News: Twins Demote Struggling Outfielder One Last Time
On the season, Buck is currently hitting .260 with a .899 OPS and a 145 OPS+. He’s already smacked 15 homers on the season, to go with 7 doubles, 1 triple and 4 stolen bases. Losing Larnach to the IL would be unfortunate as well, as he’s in the midst of a comeback season, batting .268 with a .780 OPS and 119 OPS+.
Taj Bradley takes another step in his injury recovery
One additional injury update disclosed by Shelton this afternoon was another notable one. Taj Bradley, who has been the Minnesota Twins’ best starter so far this season, is trying to return to the mound after missing his last start with “pectoral inflammation”.
After throwing earlier this week, he threw a successful 20-pitch bullpen on Friday, meaning his return to the MN Twins rotation could come in the next couple weeks, if he continues to progress accordingly.
Twins injury updates from Derek Shelton:
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) May 15, 2026
Taj Bradley (pectoral) threw a 20-pitch bullpen and "it went well."
Byron Buxton (hip) is out of the lineup, but "feeling better, so I think we're trending in the right direction."
Trevor Larnach (back) could be available off the bench.
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