Kenta Maeda, coming off injured list, starts as Twins begin road trip in Seattle

SEATTLE – Kenta Maeda, after three weeks on the injured list because of groin and arm issues, is back in the Twins rotation tonight as they start a three-game series against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park.

Maeda and Luis Arraez were activated, and outfielder Rob Refsnyder (hamstring) and pitcher Michael Pineda (arm) were placed on the IL.

Maeda (2-2, 5.27 ERA) faces Seattle lefthander Marco Gonzales (1-4, 5.45) and the game is televised on BSN at 9:10 p.m.

Center fielder Byron Buxton (hip) is with the Twins and can come off the injured list to bolster the outfield during the series. Manager Rocco Baldelli said Buxton continues to test his hip after playing in St. Paul on a rehab assignment, and that there was some soreness today.

Arraez will not be in the starting lineup tonight as Gilberto Celestino starts in center, flanked by Alex Kirilloff and Trevor Larnach.

Pineda is 3-4 with a 3.70 ERA after taking the loss in Sunday's game. Refsynder, injured Tuesday against the Yankees, is hitting .321 with two home runs in 18 games.

Micheal Rand and Patrick Reusse talked about the Twins woes on today's Daily Delivery podcast after Houston won 14-3 on Target Field in Sunday's game.

TWINS LINEUP

Jorge Polanco, 2B

Josh Donaldson, 3B

Nelson Cruz, DH

Trevor Larnach, LF

Ryan Jeffers, C

Miguel Sanó, 1B

Alex Kirilloff, RF

Andrelton Simmons, SS

Gilberto Celestino, CF

MARINERS LINEUP

J.P. Crawford, SS

Jake Fraley, DH

Ty France, 1B

Kyle Seager, 3B

Dylan Moore, 2B

Jake Bauers, RF

Tom Murphy, C

Shed Long Jr., LF

Taylor Trammell, CF