Minnesota Twins Release Mostly Positive Injury Updates on Correa, Wallner and Buxton

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Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa - Minnesota Twins
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The 26-21 Minnesota Twins have been patiently waiting, not just to play again — after rain has soaked them out (along with the rest of the state) for most of this week –but also for Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton to rebound from concussions they suffered during a collision with each other in shallow center field last week.

On Wednesday, we got another update on both superstars. Correa, according to Audra Martin (Twins.TV), he is no longer showing any signs of concussion symptoms. The former Platinum Glove shortstop has resumed baseball activities, meaning we can hopefully assume he’ll return on or shortly after his mandatory seven-day concussion list stay is complete.

Minnesota Twins reveal new updates on Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa concussions

Unfortunately, the news on Byron Buxton wasn’t quite as positive. The Twins’ other former Platinum Glove winner remains behind his teammate and fellow 2012 top two MLB Draft pick, in their respective concussion recoveries. Twins representatives are chalking Buxton’s delayed recovery up to his past with head injuries.

“Head trainer Nick Paparesta said [Carlos Correa’s] concussion symptoms are basically completely gone. He has started baseball activities and will still need to pass some tests and protocols before he can officially return. But they say they feel like they are in a really good spot.

Byron Buxton, however, is a little bit behind C4. Because of his concussion history, it can take a bit longer to progress. But the good news is he did start doing some light baseball activities earlier today.”

Audra Martin – Twins.TV

Getting either Carlos Correa or Byron Buxton back in the lineup and out on the field will immediately make them a much better team both offensively and defensively. But waiting on Buck will hurt. Once cleared, both players are eligible to come off the concussion list on Friday.

When the 31-year-old went into concussion protocol, he was inarguably the Minnesota Twins’ best player — posting 1.8 bWAR built on a .261 batting average, .834 OPS and 3 defensive runs saved.

Correa was hitting better when he left the lineup too, but he’s off to one of the slower starts of his career, slashing .236/.274/.331 (.605 OPS). Nonetheless, Carlos is one of the leaders in this dugout and still one of the better defensive shortstops in baseball. No doubt, the Minnesota Twins need him back too.

Matt Wallner starting rehab assignment

But the Twins are waiting on another injured 2025 star to return to the big leagues, as well. Matt Wallner, who ranked near the top of the team in OPS (.847), OPS+ (136) and WAR (0.6) before he went out with a hamstring injury in April, is recovering quicker than expected.

Related: Minnesota Twins Slugger Nearing a Return to Action

On Wednesday, Wallner began a rehab assignment at triple A, St. Paul, meaning he could be activated off the injured list any day too. Martin reported during the Twins game that the plan is to keep him in St. Paul over the weekend, before reassessing the situation.

“Matt Wallner will DH tonight for the Saints and he will play with them through the weekend. The Twins will reassess after that.”

Audra Martin – Twins.TV

The weather is making life awfully difficult on the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians this week, as they work around Mother Nature as best they can, to get at least two of their three scheduled games in at Target Field.

After postponing Monday’s game — which was shutdown in the 4th inning — their Tuesday semi-doubleheader was canceled and pushed back to Wednesday. Prior to this week’s rainouts, the MN Twins had won 13 of 14 games, including 13-straight victories, the most so far this MLB season.

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