Buxton (hand) was diagnosed with a bone contusion following his MRI on Thursday, Mark Rosen of WCCO-TV reports.
This is an immediate relief for Buxton, who was feared to have a fractured hamate bone, which could have ended his season. Instead, he will be available off the bench as a pinch runner for Thursday's afternoon game against the White Sox, and should be considered day-to-day moving forward. It seems likely that the club will choose to rest him for a few days, especially after he felt pain in his hand during his last at-bat Wednesday. In his place, Zack Granite is manning center field and could remain there until Buxton rejoins the lineup.