Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa passed concussion protocol and was reinstated from the 7-day injured list ahead of a three-game series against Kansas City that begins Friday night.
Correa collided with center fielder Byron Buxton in pursuit of a shallow fly ball on May 15 at Baltimore, forcing both players out of that game. Buxton was also placed on the 7-day injured list and into concussion protocol. Twins head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta said Wednesday that Buxton was “a little bit behind” Correa in his recovery, with a previous concussion adding more caution to the process. Buxton has begun to take batting practice.
Correa, who was limited to 86 games last season because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot, has started slowly this season at the plate but hadn't missed any time to injury before the collision with Buxton. The 30-year-old Correa had a substandard .605 OPS with eight doubles and two home runs in 41 games before he was hurt.
The Twins sent infielder Ryan Fitzgerald to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday to make room on the roster for Correa, who missed only five games because of a rainout and a scheduled off day.
Kansas City Royals (28-23, fourth in the AL Central) vs. Minnesota Twins (27-22, third in the AL Central)
Minneapolis; Friday, 7:10 p.m. Pregame 6:30 p.m. on 830 WCCO and the Audacy app (in-market restrictions apply)
PITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Noah Cameron (1-1, 0.71 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, six strikeouts); Twins: Pablo Lopez (4-2, 2.40 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 49 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Twins -164, Royals +139; over/under is 7 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Twins host the Kansas City Royals to start a three-game series.
Minnesota is 27-22 overall and 16-7 in home games. The Twins have a 12-5 record in games when they did not give up a home run.
Kansas City has an 11-14 record on the road and a 28-23 record overall. The Royals have a 24-5 record in games when they record at least eight hits.
The teams square off Friday for the fifth time this season. The Royals are up 3-1 in the season series.
TOP PERFORMERS: Trevor Larnach has six doubles, a triple and seven home runs while hitting .254 for the Twins. Byron Buxton is 9 for 35 with a double, a triple and four home runs over the past 10 games.
Vinnie Pasquantino is fourth on the Royals with 14 extra base hits (five doubles, a triple and eight home runs). Maikel Garcia is 12 for 38 with three doubles, a home run and five RBIs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Twins: 8-2, .264 batting average, 3.00 ERA, outscored opponents by 15 runs
Royals: 4-6, .250 batting average, 3.21 ERA, outscored by four runs
INJURIES: Twins: Luke Keaschall: 60-Day IL (forearm), Danny Coulombe: 15-Day IL (forearm), Byron Buxton: 7-Day IL (head), Michael Tonkin: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Carlos Correa: 7-Day IL (concussion), Matt Wallner: 10-Day IL (hamstring)
Royals: Cole Ragans: 15-Day IL (groin), Seth Lugo: 15-Day IL (finger), Alec Marsh: 60-Day IL (shoulder), James McArthur: 60-Day IL (elbow), Hunter Harvey: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Sam Long: 15-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Wright: 15-Day IL (shoulder)
The Associated Press contributed to this story.