MLB Player News

Choi was called up from Triple-A after Friday's game, the Los Angeles Times' Pedro Moura reports.

C.J. Cron suffered a broken hand in Friday's game and was placed on the DL, so Choi will presumably step in and start seeing fairly regular playing time at first base and DH. Choi hit .329/.413/.488 with four home runs in 44 games at Triple-A, but only hit .056 in 24 plate appearances in the big leagues earlier this year.

Buxton left Friday's game in the first inning with a right knee contusion, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

It was easy to fear the worst after Buxton was carted off the field following a collision with the outfield wall, but it seems he may have avoided a serious injury. The Twins could opt to send Buxton for additional tests to confirm the extent of the injury, but for now, they're labeling him as day-to-day with merely a bruised knee.

Cespedes (quad) left Friday's game against the Nationals with a right quad strain, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

Cespedes suffered the injury in the third inning when he slid to catch a Ben Revere fly ball in center field. Cespedes was replaced by Juan Lagares in center in the fourth inning. The severity of the strain is uncertain.

Buxton was carted off the field Friday after crashing into the center field wall, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The exact nature and full extent of the issue have not yet been disclosed, but it looked like a potentially serious right leg injury for Buxton. It appeared as though he couldn't put any weight on the leg after almost making a fantastic catch to rob Rougned Odor of extra bases in the first inning. Expect an update when the Twins provide more information.

Pederson (shoulder) still has not been cleared to swing a bat, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.

There was some initial optimism that Pederson could return from the DL immediately following the All-Star break, but that's looking like far from a sure thing with the 24-year-old still shut down from swinging. Pederson figures to ultimately require at least a couple minor league rehab games to prepare for a return to the major league roster. Andrew Toles was brought up Friday to help out in center field in the meantime.

Indians manager Terry Francona said that Brantley (shoulder) has been recovering well in his rehab. He is scheduled to take BP for the third straight day on Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

There is still no definitive date on when Brantley will begin his minor league rehab, but obviously this is a great sign in his progression. If all continues to go well, expect Brantley to rejoin the Indians at some point shortly after the All-Star break.

Goins (forearm) will begin to throw again Saturday, freelance writer John Lott reports.

Goins was placed on the 15-day DL on July 2 after making an appearance on the mound during a 19-inning game against the Indians. He went down with forearm tightness with a strain on the inside of his elbow, but should be able to return by the time he is eligible to be activated on July 17.

Martinez (elbow) took swings with a fungo on Friday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Martinez has now advanced to hitting drills after being limited to cardio and lower-body work since breaking his elbow on June 16. The 28-year-old is likely still two to three weeks away from a return to the majors but it appears his rehab is right on track.

Dickerson went 2-for-4 with a double, triple, two RBI and a run in Thursday's 6-0 victory over the Dodgers.

The 26-year-old ended Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu's night with a triple to deep right in the fifth that plated Yangervis Solarte and Derek Norris, giving him five RBI over the last five contests. Dickerson has also hit safely in four of the last five games, a stretch that's included a pair of doubles and Thursday's three-bagger.

Vargas hit a solo homer in his only plate appearance Thursday at the Rangers.

Vargas came on to pinch hit in the ninth inning of a game the Twins were already winning 8-0, and he blasted his second bomb in his third appearance with the Twins this season. He now has three extra base hits in his last two contests.