The Minnesota Twins have had quite a couple of weeks. A losing streak after the All-Star Break was followed by a whirlwind trade deadline that sent some of the team's biggest contributors to contenders, while the Twins reloaded their farm system.
It was a shocking and sudden change with nearly two months left in the season. And the Twins lineup since that July 31 trade deadline has been more AA than MLB - at least on the surface. The Twins have actually played well. They're 7-5 since the deadline and up until now, they've done it without their best player: Byron Buxton.
But that changes Monday night in the Bronx. The team announced outfielder Byron Buxton is rejoining the roster after 10 days on the Injured List as the Twins open a three-game set against the New York Yankees.
Buxton has missed the last 13 games with ribcage inflammation. He was placed on the 10-day IL on July 29. Buxton, who was an All-Star in 2025, was batting .282 with 68 runs, 23 homers, 59 RBIs and a .905 OPS in 85 games when he went on the IL, all team-leading totals and averages among players with a qualifying amount of at-bats.
Despite the rib cage issue and a concussion that cost him time earlier, Buxton has been as healthy as he has in several seasons. He's on pace for the second-most games in his 11-year major league career, behind the 140 games he played in in 2017.
Buxton has already stepped up his role of team leader despite his presence on the injury list. Buxton joined the Twins in Cleveland for the team's first series after the trade deadline, wanting to be there to provide support and be a sounding board for teammates.
“I mean, trading nine guys like that is something that’s not normal, so it was a little bit of a shock for sure,” Buxton said at the time. “Right now, obviously, I haven’t processed it. I don’t know who has processed it, but something we’ll talk about a little bit more at the end of the season.”
Buxton adds that it's a chance to get some of the new players comfortable.
"Just wanna be be normal, like obviously it's been a been a tough couple of days," Buxton explains.
To make room for Buxton on the 26-man roster, the Twins optioned outfielder Carson McCusker to Triple-A St. Paul following Sunday afternoon’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
The Twins came out on top Sunday, thanks to an 11th inning home run by Luke Keaschall. Ryan Fitzgerald homered for his first career hit as well, adding to the young players stepping up for the Twins who took two of three against the Royals after winning two of three at division leading Detroit.
Speaking of Keaschall, he's now been honored with a big award, the American League Player of the Week. Keaschall hit .455 with 2 home runs, 10 RBI, and a blistering 1.318 OPS.
Minnesota Twins (56-61, fourth in the AL Central) vs. New York Yankees (62-56, third in the AL East)
New York; Monday, 6:05 p.m. Pregame show at 5:30 p.m. on 830 WCCO and the Audacy App (in-market restrictions apply)
PITCHING PROBABLES: Twins: Zebby Matthews (3-3, 5.17 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 48 strikeouts); Yankees: Will Warren (6-5, 4.44 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 133 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Yankees -177, Twins +148; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The New York Yankees host the Minnesota Twins to open a three-game series.
New York is 62-56 overall and 35-24 in home games. The Yankees have a 32-19 record in games when they hit at least two home runs.
Minnesota is 56-61 overall and 24-36 in road games. The Twins have a 39-10 record in games when they scored at least five runs.
The teams meet Monday for the first time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cody Bellinger has 20 doubles, five triples, 20 home runs and 66 RBIs while hitting .272 for the Yankees. Trent Grisham is 8 for 34 with four home runs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Yankees: 3-7, .204 batting average, 5.05 ERA, outscored by 15 runs
Twins: 5-5, .240 batting average, 4.59 ERA, outscored by three runs
INJURIES: Yankees: Amed Rosario: 10-Day IL (joint), Austin Slater: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Jonathan Loaisiga: 15-Day IL (back), Clarke Schmidt: 60-Day IL (forearm), Fernando Cruz: 15-Day IL (oblique), Ryan Yarbrough: 15-Day IL (oblique), Oswaldo Cabrera: 60-Day IL (ankle), Jake Cousins: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gerrit Cole: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Twins: Christian Vazquez: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Simeon Woods Richardson: 15-Day IL (illness), Byron Buxton: 10-Day IL (side soreness), Anthony Misiewicz: 15-Day IL (shoulder), David Festa: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Pablo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder)