Twins give health updates on Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis, Byron Buxton
Carlos Correa will "be playing" when the Minnesota Twins return to the playoffs next week, according to manager Rocco Baldelli.
Speaking on MLB Network's SiriusXM radio Tuesday, Baldelli said, "I can almost say for certain, he'll be playing. He should be ready to go and playing in the playoffs. Possibly on Sunday to get a little bit of action."
Correa was placed on the injured list Sept. 20 after suffering a full thickness tear of the central cortex of his plantar fascia. The 10-day listing allows Correa to return for Sunday's season finale in Colorado.
"When push comes to shove next Tuesday Correa will be out there," continued Baldelli. "He's not going to be at 100% but I think taking this 10-day stretch is going to help his heel a noticeable amount."
The situation with Royce Lewis, who suffered a hamstring strain, is less clear.
"It's a muscle injury. So, I'm not sure I can tell you, or if he can tell us, or even if the trainers have any real idea of what he's going to be able to do by Tuesday," Baldelli said.
Lewis strained his hamstring last Tuesday, landing him on the 10-day injured list. The rookie infielder was crushing at the plate for Minnesota, slashing .309/.372/.548 with 15 home runs and 52 RBI.
"Will he be able to swing, will probably be the first question," Baldelli continued. "If he can swing, there's a chance he can be our DH."
Meanwhile, Byron Buxton is returning to Target Field today. When he'll be activated is unclear, but it appears he's close since he had rehab appearances with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints on Sept. 21 and Sept. 24. He was 1 for 8 at the plate with an RBI in those games.
"It's all going to come down to how he's doing," Baldelli said.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli provides injury updates for Carlos Correa, as well as other key players such as Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton.@Twins | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/ytXwl8srtn
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) September 26, 2023
The Twins also reinstated Brock Stewart off the 60-day injured list ahead of the final two series of the regular season.
Stewart started a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Sept. 15. He made three appearances, allowing no runs or hits in three innings of work. The 31-year-old righty had a 0.70 ERA in 25 innings from the bullpen before landing on the 60-day injured list.
Minnesota designated Dylan Floro for release or assignment to make way for Stewart.
