CLEVELAND – Byron Buxton did not play Sunday as the Twins continue to monitor the center fielder after he face-planted into the turf as he made a diving catch Saturday night.
Manager Rocco Baldelli said Buxton felt better after Saturday's game, but it was in his best interests that they be as thorough as possible before letting him back on the field.
"I think he went through every protocol [Saturday]," Baldelli said. "Whatever the doctor thought was relevant, we wanted the docs to basically go through everything. I don't think there's anything definitive that we can say right now. Like I said, he did hit the ground very hard, and when that happens, we're going to make sure we look at our guys."
Baldelli was careful not to use the word "concussion," but the intentions were there. The Twins have had too many cases in which a player has suffered a blow to the head and the symptoms don't appear until a few days later. Joe Mauer during last season is the most recent example.
"We're going to continue to look at him [Monday]," Baldelli said. "He'll pop in at the ball field on the day off, make sure he's still doing well."
Buxton was activated from the injured list June 29 after recovering from a right wrist contusion. He has hit .150 with 11 strikeouts in 10 games since, but he always provides value with his defensive excellence. That excellence has come at a cost at times, as his catch-first-and-ask-questions-later approach has led to him getting banged up.
"He really does move," Baldelli said. "When you move like that, you're going to have more impact. You're going to have more collisions. You're going to have more of everything and it's going to be noticeable. When you're moving at that speed, it's more difficult to do everything."
Rosario close
Eddie Rosario ran the bases and worked in the outfield Sunday, and Baldelli expressed some hope the left fielder could be activated from the injured list Tuesday when the Twins open a nine-game homestand.
