BOSTON — While the Twins are awaiting the results of an MRI, there’s guarded optimism that Byron Buxton may have avoided a worst-case scenario Friday afternoon.
For now, the Twins are saying Buxton exited with right knee soreness during an 8-4 win over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Buxton, who was limited to 61 games played last season by a hip strain and a broken pinky finger, injured himself on the first play of the game. After sliding into second base on a fly ball double, Buxton twice smacked the dirt before popping up and immediately leaving the field. As he walked toward the visiting dugout, Buxton covered his face with his helmet.
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“(Buxton) was feeling some real discomfort,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “He plays through a lot. He’s a tough guy, and he always wants to be on the field. I think in this instance, he knew that it was not going to be something that he was going to play (Friday) with going forward and he just bounced up and walked off under his own power. … When we find the results of the MRI and start to discuss them, then we’ll release all that.”
Any major injury to Buxton, who signed an incentive-laden, seven-year, $100 million extension on Dec. 1, would be a blow to the Twins. In limited time last season, Buxton produced 4.5 wins above replacement, the most by anyone who played fewer than 70 games in a season since 1900.
After appearing in a career-high 140 games in 2017, Buxton has missed nearly two-thirds of the contests played by the Twins over the past four-plus seasons. Friday was only the 222nd time he’s suited up in 665 games since the start of the 2018 season.
Whether it’s a broken finger, concussion-like symptoms, migraine headaches, a broken toe, a bruised forearm, a torn labrum or even a broken tooth (that one didn’t cost him any games), Buxton has had difficulty staying healthy.
Accustomed to the scenario, the Twins pushed on while waiting to learn more about their injured teammate’s right knee. Rookie pitcher Joe Ryan played a significant role in that Friday.
Throwing his slider more often than his fastball, Ryan kept a talented Boston lineup off-balance. He retired the side in order during the first, third and sixth innings and looked in control most of the way.
When he pitched against Seattle on Opening Day, Ryan uncharacteristically issued four walks in four innings. A week later, Ryan’s pinpoint command was back and allowed him to throw strikes on 60 of 82 pitches. Ryan produced a career-high 19 swings and misses and struck out seven over six sharp innings.
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Even when J.D. Martinez put him in a tough spot, the slugger’s opposite-field single resulting in runners on the corners and one out, Ryan stuck with the plan. Facing Alex Verdugo, who homered in the second inning, Ryan escaped the jam with a double play. An inning later, he stranded another runner in scoring position. Ryan allowed five hits and one run.
“We had a really good team dinner (Thursday),” Ryan said. “It just kind of motivates you and inspires you knowing that the whole team is there. I hope (Buxton’s) doing good and it’s nothing serious. I haven’t heard anything, but the next guy up. You’ve got to keep winning and keep going.”
SANÓ CLEARS THE MONSTER! 👹@Twins | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/ng0sl7xUr6
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 15, 2022
The loss of Buxton didn’t prevent the Twins from taking advantage of the play on which he reached base. Buxton began the game with a fly ball to shallow left off Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta that fell in among three defenders. Luis Arraez followed with a single to plate pinch runner Nick Gordon and give the Twins a 1-0 lead.
An inning later, Miguel Sanó ended an 0-for-19 slump to start the season with a booming, two-run homer to left. Even so, Sanó couldn’t help but feel bummed for Buxton.
“I’m really sad because I don’t want to see my boy get an injury,” Sanó said. “Buck is one of the best players we have on the team. When that guy’s on the field, everything is different for us. He’s a great person, great teammate, great player and everything. I hope he doesn’t have anything bad and he comes back soon.”
The Twins kept adding on throughout Friday’s contest.
Arraez again singled in Gordon in the second inning to make it a four-run game. Gary Sánchez made it 6-1 with a two-run single in the fifth inning.
After two poor defensive plays helped the Red Sox trim the lead to 6-4, the Twins added on in the ninth. Max Kepler singled in a run, and Trevor Larnach, who was promoted after Alex Kirilloff went on the injured list, had an RBI groundout. Reliever Emilio Pagan closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning.
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“Those runs are enormous with the swings that you get here in this ballpark,” Baldelli said. “Late in games, the Red Sox get some stuff going and the place gets going with them and our guys being able to go out there and have some good at-bats late in the game and add two runs to the scoreboard, I mean that’s the difference between winning and losing a lot of games.”
Kyle Garlick activated, Dereck Rodriguez designated for assignment
With a reduced possibility of signing outfielder Justin Upton, the Twins activated outfielder Kyle Garlick after adding him to the 40-man roster before Friday’s game. A free agent after he cleared waivers last week, Upton is said to be waiting for a full-time role and weighing his options. He also may prefer to play on the West Coast.
The Twins had hoped to sign Upton, which likely initially prevented Garlick from making the Opening Day roster, as the team didn’t want to burn a 40-man roster spot at the time. With Kirilloff down and the Twins lacking a right-handed bat off the bench, the easy call was to turn to Garlick, who had an .878 OPS against left-handed pitchers last season.
To make room for Garlick, the Twins designated Dereck Rodriguez for assignment. Rodriguez was added to the roster Wednesday and had allowed three earned runs over four innings.
“Kyle’s done a good job for us,” Baldelli said. “He can do different things. I think he complements our roster very well right now.”
(Photo: Michael Dwyer / Associated Press)
