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Twins bring Buxton back after mid-series roster switch for ailing Kirilloff
The Minnesota Twins have added designated hitter Byron Buxton as an injury substitute to their AL Division Series roster prior to Game 4 against Houston
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins added designated hitter Byron Buxton as an injury substitute to their AL Division Series roster prior to Game 4 against Houston on Wednesday, removing first baseman Alex Kirilloff because of worsening shoulder pain.
Major League Baseball rules require Commissioner’s Office approval of mid-series roster changes. Dr. Gary Green, MLB’s medical director, confirmed the injury after communication with a club physician.
Buxton, who has only appeared in more than 92 games in one of his nine major league seasons, has not played since Aug. 1. Persistent knee trouble has limited him to a hitting-only role this season.
The Twins kept the door open all year for him to return to center field, but time ran out in the regular season after Buxton had some setbacks during his rehab work. With Royce Lewis returning to third base in Game 3 after serving as the designated hitter in Minnesota’s first four postseason games, the roster space made sense for Buxton.