Then, today’s lineup (@ Detroit – 5:10PM) was released and Byron Buxton wasn’t in it. Yes, Buck played 5 innings during the All-Star game on Tuesday (1-2 w/HR), but he’s also had four (Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri) of the last five days off. Not only that, but the Twins have Monday off too.

Break’s over. Back to work! #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/qkUYjGTjVV

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 23, 2022

What is happening?

This decision is completely dumbfounding, unless there’s something we haven’t been told yet. Out of all the days to give a day off, today seemed like the most unlikely.

There is no logical explanation for why Byron Buxton would not be in today’s starting lineup and Twins media won’t even acknowledge that it’s happened. Meaning, they’re trying to find out. Had Minnesota returned to play on Thursday, maybe even Friday like most teams, this lineup would raise eyebrows, but not cause controversy.

Buxton’s absence in tonight’s lineup, however, is such a wild pitch that I’m left to wonder if something else is wrong. Did he wake up this morning not feeling well or to unexpected knee inflammation? Did he get hurt during the All-Star game? Those explanations would make more sense than a rest day.

Baldelli speaks with beat reporters before each game so we should get an explanation sooner, rather than later. But I just cannot imagine a situation where he calls this “a scheduled rest day” and keeps a straight face. But maybe (hopefully?) I’m wrong…

Update (2:50 PM):

As theorised, there was more to Byron Buxton’s absence. Following his All-Star game appearance last week, Buxton got a platelet rich injection (PRP) in his knee. He’ll be out for the 2-game Brewers series.

Byron Buxton got a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in his right knee the day after the All-Star Game. He will be down for these Detroit games and hopefully available again in Milwaukee. It’s expected to help healing. #MNTwins

— Megan Ryan (@theothermegryan) July 23, 2022

Little things matter and the Twins organization, as it should, chooses to focus on a lot of details surrounding the professional baseball operation. So why would news on Buxton’s procedure come out now and not days ago?

With sports gambling becoming more prevalent in this country, every month that goes by, the MLB should not allow this sort of thing to happen. Fans attend games wanting to see their favorite players and gamblers make bets with the assumption that certain players will impact the game. It’s just unnecessary.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Twins have released their roster for game one of the American League Wild Card Series vs the Houston Astros. Josh Donaldson is out, due to his calf injury, and Byron Buxton has been ruled ready, by the MLB’s concussion protocol. Alex Kirilloff has been called up but will watch from the bench.

Let’s go! Here’s how we line up for Game 1. #OurSZN pic.twitter.com/Zgr7dHX6ti

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 29, 2020

Without Josh Donaldson in the lineup, the Twins will hit Byron Buxton in the 2-hole. Luckily (for today), we don’t have to worry about what it would look like without him. Things with Josh’s calf seem to run day-to-day but he’s been ruled out for the entire series (left off the series roster below). His teammates will have to win this one without him, and then hope he is ready for the California bubble should they advance (which many believe they will).

It’s also notable that Ryan Jeffers got the start over Mitch Garver. The move makes a lot of sense. Garver has been terrible all of 2020 and Jeffers hasn’t. His pitch-framing matters, too… He’s one of the best I’ve seen. when it comes to that part of catching.

On offense, Jeffers has been really good. He is hitting .273 with a near .800 OPS (.791). He isn’t projected as a “flash in the pan”, either. Jeffers entered the season as the #6 prospect in a stacked Minnesota Twins system. Garver, on the other hand, hit .167 in 2020 with a .511 OPS, just one season removed from an all-time great season for any catcher (.273 BA, 31 HR, 67 RBI, and .995 OPS).

Twins Roster for Houston Series

#WildCardSeries Roster locked in. #OurSZN pic.twitter.com/uStKofHOKY

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 29, 2020

Jorge Alcala didn’t make the Wild Card series roster, which is a bit surprising. I’m also glad that turtle (Willians Astudillo) is there as well. On the bench or in the field, they are a better team when he is around.

To deep dive this pitching matchup between Kenta Maeda and Zack Greinke, CLICK HERE.

If you’d like to see the Houston Astros lineup and roster for this game, CLICK HERE.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan