The Twins got a mixed injury update Friday, with Byron Buxton still in a very uncertain spot and Joe Ryan moving closer to a return.
Buxton’s right hip discomfort is being handled on a “truly day-to-day” basis, according to Twins GM Jeremy Zoll. The center fielder was in the training room receiving treatment pregame Friday, and the club is still sorting through every option.
“We're going to see if we can get [Buxton] through this next stretch and back on the field one more time,” said Zoll. “But really just day to day at this point and need to see how he continues to progress."
Twins manager Derek Shelton said the team wanted a fresh look at Buxton on Friday before deciding on the next step.
“I think Nick [Paparesta] and his group wanted to get a look at him today and see where he was at," said Twins manager Derek Shelton. "But I think it’s one of those things that we will be day to day on until we have a very clear path of what we should be."
That path could still include an injured list stint, and Zoll also said surgery remains on the table if that’s the route the team and Buxton choose.
“Yeah, a surgical option is definitely a potential option as we sort through everything," said Zoll. "It would be some type of hip procedure, but [we’re] not at that point right now. It's not a situation where we needed an updated MRI and just need to see how these symptoms progress over this next stretch, and then we'll continue to assess options."
Ryan, meanwhile, is trending the other direction. The right-hander, sidelined with a left glute strain, said he felt good after live batting practice Wednesday afternoon at CHS Field in St.
Paul. He had already thrown a couple of bullpens at Target Field and CHS Field, but facing hitters gave him a better read on where he stands.
“I think just facing hitters was the biggest one, right?” said Ryan.
“It’s just, I haven’t done that in a second, and then I haven’t really done that feeling like I have control over my body and not compensating for a couple, a little bit longer than that. So good to just get out there and feel a little bit more free.”
Ryan is scheduled for another bullpen Sunday, and if that goes well, Zoll expects him to begin a rehab assignment early next week, likely with Triple-A St. Paul.
There was also encouraging news on Kendry Rojas, who strained his right oblique last Friday in a start with the Saints. Rojas exited in the second inning, but the MRI showed only a mild strain, and Zoll said he could throw a bullpen as soon as next week. The goal is a return by mid-September, with Rojas working as a reliever only.
“Where we're at calendar-wise, not expecting to be able to stretch him back out at this point," Zoll said. "If he does get back into game action, it'll probably be a two-inning outing for his first go, and we'll go from there."
Rojas has posted a 3.34 ERA with 22 walks and 34 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings over 12 outings, including four starts, for the Twins this season.
Austin Martin is also moving forward from a left hamstring strain suffered Aug. 16 against the Phillies. He has begun a running progression and is expected to start a rehab assignment next weekend.
And a few more arms are making progress. Mike Paredes, Mick Abel and Pablo López have all started throwing programs as they recover from their injuries.
López is limited to throws from 45 feet, while Paredes and Abel are at 60 feet. Zoll said there is still a sliver of hope that Paredes could return in the final weeks of the season if his recovery keeps moving smoothly.
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