The Twins are the one AL Central staff headed to the playoffs this yr, they usually’re set to take action with a handful of key gamers on the injured listing. Fortuitously, as famous by Bobby Nightengale of the Star Tribune, shortstop Carlos Correa, third baseman Royce Lewis, and outfielder Byron Buxton all participated in a simulated recreation this afternoon as they work their approach again for the upcoming playoff run.
MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park provides extra particular particulars on the timelines of every participant: Correa is anticipated to return in time for the playoffs, and will presumably be activated earlier than the top of the common season. Lewis is at the moment capable of hit however isn’t working but, which figures to be a big hurdle even when the 24-year-old teen returns completely as a DH within the postseason. Buxton, in the meantime, is probably the most up within the air of the three, although it’s price noting that the defensive phenom hasn’t been dominated out for a return to the outfield with the Twins this postseason.
Total this yr, Buxton has slashed simply .207/.294/.438 in 85 video games with the Twins whereas being completely relegated to DH. That’s considerably hampered his worth, as Buxton is without doubt one of the greatest defenders within the sport when he’s wholesome sufficient to take the sector. In the meantime, Correa’s bat has taken a significant step again this yr as effectively with a slash line of simply .230/.312/.399 in 580 journeys to the plate this yr, although because the membership’s on a regular basis shortstop his return ought to nonetheless assist stabilize the membership’s infield state of affairs. Total, Lewis seems prone to affect the Twins the many of the trio this postseason by way of offense, as he’s posted unimaginable numbers when wholesome sufficient to take the sector. In 239 journeys to the plate this yr, Lewis has slashed an unimaginable .309/.372/.548 whereas enjoying third base for the Twins.
Extra from the AL Central…
Regardless of Tigers shortstop Javier Baez being within the midst of what’s turn into the worst full season of his profession, the 30-year-old veteran apparently hasn’t dominated out the potential for opting out of the ultimate 4 years and $98MM left on his contract with Detroit after the season involves a detailed. In dialog with reporters, together with Chris McCosky of The Detroit Information, Baez stated “I don’t know what’s going to occur, to be trustworthy with you,” noting that after the season the edges would “sit down… and see what’s going to occur within the offseason.” On condition that Baez has been a bottom-four certified shortstop this yr by way of fWAR forward of solely Enrique Hernandez, Tim Anderson, and Amed Rosario, it will be one thing of a shock to see the veteran resolve to check the open market. That stated, he would be part of a dismal free agent shortstop class this offseason and nonetheless sports activities an elite glove at shortstop, as evidenced by his +8 Outs Above Common, which ranks within the 96th percentile per Baseball Savant.
Guardians infielder Gabriel Arias is finished for the season. As famous by MLB.com, Arias was hit by a pitch over the weekend however returned to the lineup yesterday, solely to really feel ache after swinging the bat. Upon receiving an MRI, Arias was revealed to have sustained a non-displaced proper wrist fracture. It’s a disappointing finish to the season for Arias, who required surgical procedure on that very same wrist final offseason. The 23-year-old teen has struggled on the plate in restricted enjoying time over the previous two seasons, with a mixed .207/.282/.348 slash line in 402 journeys to the plate since making is debut in 2022. Waiting for 2024, Arias figures to compete with fellow teen Brayan Rocchio for the shortstop job in Cleveland subsequent yr, barring an exterior addition.
