KANSAS CITY — Byron Buxton returns to the Twins lineup today, a week after injuring his right knee during a series in Boston.
Buxton will hit leadoff and be the designated hitter in the 1:10 p.m. game against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
The Twins are hoping to salvage the finale of the three-game series before heading home.
Joe Ryan (1-1, 2.70 ERA) will pitch for the Twins against Royals veteran righthander Zack Greinke (0-0, 2.45).
Jorge Polanco gets a rest today with Luis Arraez playing second base. Gary Sanchez is also sitting out with Ryan Jeffers behind the plate.
Buxton injured the knee sliding into second base last Friday at Fenway Park. The Twins kept him on the active roster after exams showed no structural damage.
Before the game, the Twins announced they've completed the trade with the Padres by adding Brayan Medina as the player to be named later in a deal where San Diego got Taylor Rogers, Brent Rooker and cash to cover Rogers' contract in exchange for Chris Paddack, Emilio Pagan and the PTBNL.
Medina, a 19-year-old righthanded pitcher, will report to the Florida Complex League. A Venezuelan, he was signed by the Padres for $700,000 as a 16-year-old in 2019. He pitched in the Dominican Summer League and Arizona Complex League last season.
