The Twins will consider allowing prospect Byron Buxton back on the field before the end of the minor league season if he's cleared to play.
Buxton, who began the season as the top prospect in baseball, is recovering after suffering a concussion on Wednesday when he collided with teammate Mike Kvasnicka while chasing a fly ball during Class AA New Britain's game against Bowie.
Buxton, who was motionless for about 10 minutes following the collision, spent about an hour at a local hospital before he was discharged and was back in the clubhouse following the game. Twins General Manager Terry Ryan, who was at the game and with Buxton at the hospital, said Buxton could return to the field before the season is over.
"He's got to go through the concussion tests, just like the major leaguers do," Ryan said. "Once a kid shows any concussion symptoms he has to go through the protocols. You have to send the results to MLB doctors."
Buxton was playing in his first game for the Rock Cats after being promoted from Class A Fort Myers. His season has been interrupted several times by injuries. He injured his left wrist in March and aggravated it in May, then returned to action in July only to be hit by a pitch in the right wrist and miss about a week.
Kvasicka injured his hip in the collision and has some abdominal discomfort but should be fine, Ryan said.
"I tell you what," Ryan said. "It was a tough thing to watch them go throught that."
Ryan was impressed with how Buxton handled the situation.
