MLB Player News

Buxton (hand) was diagnosed with a bone contusion following his MRI on Thursday, Mark Rosen of WCCO-TV reports.

This is an immediate relief for Buxton, who was feared to have a fractured hamate bone, which could have ended his season. Instead, he will be available off the bench as a pinch runner for Thursday's afternoon game against the White Sox, and should be considered day-to-day moving forward. It seems likely that the club will choose to rest him for a few days, especially after he felt pain in his hand during his last at-bat Wednesday. In his place, Zack Granite is manning center field and could remain there until Buxton rejoins the lineup.

Lewis, 22, is hitting .264/.331/.426 with six home runs, 23 RBI and two steals in just 33 games at High-A this season.

Lewis missed extended time due to a nagging right knee issue stemming from surgery performed last July, thus limiting his on-field production in 2017. His upside remains extremely high, but Lewis will have to prove he is healthy heading into the 2018 campaign.

Buxton (hand) revealed that he's dealing with a left hamate bone injury, and will receive the results from his MRI prior to Minnesota's matinee against the White Sox on Thursday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

If Buxton is indeed shelved with a fractured hamate bone, he could wind up missing the rest of the season, or at least close to it. The center fielder felt a "sharp pain" during a swing in his first at-bat Wednesday, and recorded a "painful hit" during his last plate appearance, according to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press. There will be a better sense of a timetable once Buxton receives the official test results, but it doesn't look too good at this point.

Buxton (hand) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Buxton left Wednesday's game after injuring his hand during a swing, and will get the series finale off to recover. There hasn't been much word on his condition, but he should still be considered day-to-day for the time being. In his place, Zack Granite draws the start in center.

Manager Paul Molitor said Buxton exited Wednesday's game against the White Sox after injuring himself during a swing, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The details of the injury remain a little murky, but it appears he may be dealing with a hand issue after his left hand slipped off the bat during a swing Wednesday night. He's set to be reevaluated Thursday, after which there should be a clearer idea regarding his status for the series finale. Zack Granite replaced Buxton on Wednesday and would likely continue to spell him if the center fielder is forced to miss additional time.

Reed hit his 31st and 32 home runs of the season Tuesday for Triple-A Fresno, tying him for the minor-league lead across all levels.

Reed has clearly mastered the Pacific Coast League and looks bound to receive a promotion to the Astros on Friday when rosters expand or soon after, but he likely won't be in store for much more than the occasional spot start or pinch-hitting opportunity during September. While he has significant upside as a power hitter, Reed has yet to tap into it at the major-league level, with his swing-and-miss tendencies proving to be a major obstacle. He's struck out in 33.3 percent of his 147 career plate appearances with the Astros.

Cabrera (back) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

As expected, Cabrera will sit out the series finale as John Hicks steps in at first base. It doesn't sound like Cabrera is in danger of missing a prolonged stretch, but manager Brad Ausmus told the Detroit News that he thinks Cabrera will have to deal with the chronic back pain for the rest of his career, so occasional maintenance days over the final month seem likely.

Manager Brad Ausmus said Cabrera (back) is still a little sore and probably won't play Wednesday against the Rockies, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Cabrera is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rockies after exiting Monday's contest with lower-back tightness, and it appears the issue will keep him sidelined for Wednesday's series finale as well. The good news is that Ausmus didn't seem overly concerned about the injury, so the Tigers are likely trying to give him an extra day of rest ahead of Thursday's off day. John Hicks will likely start in his place at first base again.

Vargas will serve as the Twins' designated hitter and bat seventh Tuesday against the White Sox.

Injuries to Robbie Grossman (thumb) and Miguel Sano (shin) have left Vargas the top option on the depth chart at DH. Vargas will draw his third consecutive start Tuesday after going 3-for-9 with two RBI over the past two contests.

Cabrera (back) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rockies.

Cabrera exited Monday's game with lower-back tightness -- something that has bothered him throughout the season -- and the issue is apparently still bothersome enough to keep him on the sideline for Tuesday's interleague matchup. Consider him day-to-day; John Hicks is starting in his place at first base.