The Twins got a needed jolt Monday with Byron Buxton back on the active roster, and the move came with a familiar roster squeeze: Tristan Gray is headed to Triple-A St. Paul.
Minnesota reinstated Buxton from the 10-day injured list after a stint that began July 7, when he went down with a right hip strain following an attempted steal of second base against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 5. Even while sidelined, Buxton remained in the spotlight - fans voted him into last Tuesday’s All-Star Game as a starting outfielder, though he was unable to take part because of the injury.
Gray’s exit had been coming. In 182 plate appearances this season, he has hit just .232/.271/.333, and his work at shortstop has been rough as well, with -7 Outs Above Average and -6 Defensive Runs Saved in 263 innings. Ryan Kreidler has clearly been the stronger option there, posting a 106 wRC+ and +2 OAA at shortstop this year.
With Gray out of the picture, Brooks Lee would appear to be the backup shortstop if Kreidler were to get hurt during a game. The move could also be a sign that top shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper is getting closer to his major league debut.
Culpepper is currently on the injured list with a glute injury, but he could be promoted soon after he is reinstated. At Triple-A St.
Paul this season, he has hit .272/.376/.492 with a 122 wRC+ in 63 games.
Buxton’s return arrives at a key moment for Minnesota. The Twins were sitting in the third American League Wild Card spot after Friday night’s 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, but back-to-back losses on Saturday and Sunday dropped them to 49-51. They’re now two games behind the Boston Red Sox, who have won 13 straight, for that final Wild Card position, and four games back of the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.
That leaves Minnesota in the middle of the fight, but not by much. The next couple of weeks loom large ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline, and if the Twins don’t play well, the front office could be pushed toward selling.
Buxton gives them a real chance to stay in the race. In 75 games, he has been worth 2.9 fWAR and is slashing .371/.328/.575 with 25 home runs, making him arguably Minnesota’s best player this season.
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