Twins Draw Up Unique Plan to Prepare Buxton, Correa for Return from IL

By    |  
Updated:
Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton
Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins have been without the services of both Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton for quite some time. They have hit the skids in a big way, and getting their stars back would provide a boost to the lineup. It appears both may return soon, and the Twins organization is getting creative, with how they will get them there.

Timelines for both Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton to return have been murky at best. The former has been out since the All-Star break and updates have been sporadic. The latter tried to go on a rehab assignment, but had to shut it down after a couple games.

Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton could be back soon for the Minnesota Twins

But suddenly, there seems to have been a change in tone. By the Twins too, but especially Correa. Apparently, he has been sprinting without severe pain in his foot for three of the last four days. It also sounds like Buxton’s recent setback won’t stop him from returning sooner, rather than later, either.

“I feel really good. It’s working, and we’re crossing the line, we’re already thinking about the future, and it’s exciting. … I was waiting to get to this point so I could push the envelope, and this percentage right now, I could play like this, as to where before I couldn’t even walk without pain. But today’s a good day. We’ve come to the right time, I feel like. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’m very encouraged about the way I’ve been feeling the last few days.”

Carlos Correa on his progress towards a return (via The Athletic)

Correa credits some painful new rehab strategy for his foot’s sudden improvement, in condition. Last season, his plantar fasciitis injury needed to completely tear before he felt his best point of health.

Related: Rocco Refuses to Take Questions After Twins Latest “Unprofessional Series”

Nonetheless, some sort of change in action seems to have optimistically flipped his rehab schedule and fast-tracked his return to the Minnesota Twins’ lineup. The Twins need their best players back in the lineup, given how fast they are free-falling in the AL standings.

The St. Paul Saints are on the road in Columbus this week, but it appears Rocco & Co are trying to get them into simulated game action, as to possibly avoid a rehab stint for both Correa and Byron Buxton.

Creative plan to get Buxton and Correa back to Minnesota Twins

Byron Buxton was already pulled off a rehab assignment with the Saints and won’t travel with them this week. Correa had yet to put on that uniform, and it doesn’t look like he will.

Instead, the Twins plan on getting both some live pitching at Target Field by using some of their own prospects. A pair of right-handers and a pair of left-handed pitchers will be in Minnesota from Cedar Rapids. The goal is to get the ailing Twins some swings.

“They need swings. Before they do anything else, we need them to see some pitching. There’s only so much you can do in the [batting] cage. There’s only so much you can do without getting a live arm out there. “We would only be bringing these guys if we thought it was needed. It’s the right time.”

Rocco Baldelli on the plan to get injured Twins players swings (Star Tribune)

There is no determination if this plan will take away a need for a rehab assignment. Clearly though, that’s the goal. Cedar Rapids pitchers Spencer Bengard, Jack Noble and Jordan Carr are among the group.

Joining them is Fort Myers pitcher Cleiber Maldonado. Bengard had the best year of the bunch posting a 1.51 ERA across 83 1/3 innings in 2024. Noble had 77 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings while Carr racked up 90 2/3 innings this season. Maldonado is a 20-year-old that threw 31 innings down in Fort Myers.

It’s an exciting opportunity for the young prospects to pitch at Target Field and face big leaguers. They also get an opportunity to add some additional innings on their arms heading into the offseason.

Related: Minnesota Twins Could Soon Have Baseball’s Best Prospect

If Minnesota likes what they see from Correa, Buxton, Max Kepler and Manuel Margot during the process, the lineup could be infused with veterans over the weekend. After a series with the Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota has a massive road trip next week against both the Cleveland Guardians and Boston Red Sox.

Mentioned in this article:

More About: