Minnesota Twins DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) is "getting closer" to a minor-league rehab assignment but is "not there yet." Baldelli doesn't expect it to be a long rehab assignment, but the expectation is that Buxton will be sent to the minors for at least a few games. It means that the 30-year-old outfielder isn't quite ready to come off the 10-day injured list, although it probably won't be long after he goes on a rehab assignment. When he does rejoin the Twins, Minnesota could ease him back into action in the designated hitter spot. Buxton has been out since Aug. 12 with right-hip inflammation. The former first-rounder hasn't stolen double-digit bases since 2019 and is now providing modest power (16 home runs and 49 RBI) when he's on the field. He was hitting .250 (6-for-24) with three homers, two doubles and five RBI in eight games in August before he went on the IL.

Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers will head to the bench ahead of Monday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Jeffers returned to the lineup on Sunday after leaving Friday's game due to a right hand injury. It's uncertain if Jeffers suffered a setback or if he's just getting a rest day on Monday. Regardless, Christian Vazquez will do the catching and bat seventh against left-hander Max Fried. Vazquez hasn't been much of a fantasy option this season. Through 75 games, Vazquez is hitting .231 with seven home runs and 27 RBI this season. Fantasy managers should be able to find a better streaming option ahead of Monday's game. It sounds like a rest day for Jeffers, but fantasy managers should check back for another update.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (knee) was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to left-knee soreness, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. As a result, he was replaced by Manuel Margot. It is still unclear how severe the injury is, so fantasy managers should consider the 31-year-old to be day-to-day for the time being. If Kepler were to miss any significant period of time, Margot would be a strong candidate to see the majority of starts in right field, with Matt Wallner occasionally slotting in when he is not serving as the designated hitter. Before the injury, Kepler carried a .236 average this month with an overall .259/.309/.392 slash line this summer.

Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-handed slugger is back in the mix after missing Saturday's contest due to a right hand issue. It looks like his absence was for precautionary reasons and he should be fine going forward. Jeffers will bat fifth and do the catching against right-hander Erick Fedde on Sunday. The 27-year-old doesn't hit for average, but his 20 home runs and 59 RBIs make him a solid fantasy asset.

There still isn't an exact timeline for Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton's (hip) return, but he will be evaluated when the team returns home for their off-day on Thursday. However, head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta did not rule out the possibility of Buxton returning on Friday for Minnesota's series opener at Target Field against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals following the minimum 10-day stint on the injured list. Buxton did some running for the first time on Tuesday, having already been hitting, throwing, and doing outfield work since going down with right hip inflammation. The 30-year-old speedy slugger is slashing a resurgent .275/.334/.528 with 16 home runs, 23 doubles, 54 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 305 at-bats for the Twins this year and needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues.