The Minnesota Twins reinstated outfielder Byron Buxton from the injured list on Saturday, adding a major piece as the team tries to recover from a difficult start to the season.
Buxton, who flashed All-Star numbers prior to his 40-game absence, was placed on the 10-day injured list May 7 with a right hip strain.
In three games at Triple-A St. Paul, Buxton was 5-for-9 with a double, a triple, two home runs, seven RBIs, four runs scored and a 2.139 OPS.
The American League Player of the Month for April, Buxton was hitting .370 (34-for-92) with 10 doubles, nine home runs, 17 RBIs, 19 runs scored, a .408 on-base percentage and a 1.180 OPS over 24 games.
Buxton is tied for second among all center fielders with six defensive runs saved.
Buxton, 27, has spent his entire career with the Twins after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2012 draft.
In a corresponding move, the Twins optioned catcher/infielder Willians Astudillo to St. Paul. Astudillo, 29, is hitting .254 (31-for-122) with four doubles, four home runs and 12 RBIs through 40 games.
–Field Level Media