MLB Player News

Buxton won't start in Sunday's game against the Athletics while he tends to what the Twins have called a "low-level right hip strain," Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Buxton is considered day-to-day, but on a fortunate note, the injury isn't related to the previous hip issues that have dogged the 28-year-old in past years. Though fantasy managers could have some justified skepticism about Buxton's chances of avoiding a trip to the IL, the Twins have emphasized that his injury is mild and isn't anything that will result in a prolonged shutdown. The team is hopeful that after Monday's team off day, Buxton will be back in the lineup for Tuesday's series opener with the Astros.

Solak is out of the lineup for Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader with the Yankees.

Solak has a clearer path to playing time against right-handed pitching following Willie Calhoun's recent demotion to Triple-A Round Rock, but the former will nonetheless find himself on the bench versus a righty (Gerrit Cole) for the second game in a row. Rather than leaning on Solak as a direct replacement for Calhoun, the Rangers are more likely to rotate a number of different players in the designated-hitter spot.

Reyes went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in an 8-2 win over the Blue Jays in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

After going 1-for-3 with a walk in the matinee, Reyes crushed a Ross Stripling offering in the third inning of the nightcap for a solo shot before adding an RBI single a couple frames later. Reyes also whiffed three more times across both games, however, and while his current five-game hitting streak is encouraging, his .474 batting average (9-for-19) over that stretch also comes with a 38.1 percent strikeout rate. On the season, the 26-year-old still sports a rough .204/.245/.301 slash line with three homers, 10 RBI and a shocking 4:43 BB:K in 23 contests.

Buxton was removed from Saturday's win over the Athletics due to right hip tightness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts to begin Saturday's matchup, but he was replaced defensively to begin the eighth inning. While the Twins didn't initially provide a reason for Buxton's departure, manager Rocco Baldelli revealed after the game that the 28-year-old is dealing with a hip injury. The severity of the issue isn't yet clear, but Gilberto Celestino and Nick Gordon should see increased at-bats if Buxton is forced to miss any additional time.

Torrens remains on the bench Saturday against the Rays.

Torrens theoretically has a clearer path to playing time behind the plate with Tom Murphy out with a dislocated shoulder. However, Torrens will sit for the second straight game with Cal Raleigh set to catch for Marco Gonzales.

Winker went 2-for-5 with two doubles and a run in a loss to the Rays on Friday.

Winker pulled his average up back to the Mendoza Line for the first time since April 10 with his third multi-hit effort in the last seven games. The 28-year-old seems to be coming out of his extended funk, as he's produced a .321 average with a trio of two-baggers, a home run and three RBI over that span.

Buxton went 1-for-2 with two walks and a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 win over the A's.

His fifth-inning blast to center field proved to be the winning run on the night. Buxton has homered in back-to-back games and hit safely in five straight, continuing a stellar start to the season that has seen him slash .290/.355/.754 with nine home runs, one steal, 17 runs and 17 RBI.

Choi (elbow) will be activated from the injured list for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He did well in an extended spring training game Friday and will fly to Seattle on Saturday to join the big-league club. With the Rays set to face righty Chris Flexen on Sunday, it's a good spot to get the lefty-hitting Choi back in the mix. He is hitting .357 with two home runs, a 20.8 BB% and a 32.1 K% in 15 games this season.

Torrens isn't starting Friday's game against the Rays.

Torrens will get a breather after he went 0-for-7 with a strikeout over the last two games. Tom Murphy will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base Thursday against the Mariners.

Ramirez drew his third start in the last five games in the absence of Ji-Man Choi (elbow) and with Josh Lowe back in Triple-A. He led off the second inning with a single and proceeded to swipe second base -- his first steal of the campaign. Two frames later, he singled in a run and also came around to score. Ramirez has now collected at least one hit in three of his last four starts, though he has no extra-base hits in that span.