Austin

Martin

Miranda had been in the lineup batting ninth as the designated hitter. He’s been replaced by Austin Martin, who will bat ninth and play left field. Royce Lewis is now the designated hitter and Willi Castro will play third base.

Martin takes the roster spot of Matt Wallner with Wallner out with a left oblique strain. Martin should see time over the final few games against left-handed pitching but isn’t a good fantasy option for those still playing.

There have been a lot of stops and starts on Buxton’s rehab assignment as he worked his way back from a hip injury, but the veteran is finally back. In 90 games this season, the 30-year-old is hitting .275 with 16 home runs, 54 runs scored, 49 RBI, and six steals. He will return to a nearly everyday role in the Twins’ lineup and is just three games away from playing the most games in a season since 2017. Austin Martin was sent to the minors in a corresponding move.

The move comes with the news that the Twins will be bringing Byron Buxton (hip) off the 10-day injured list Friday. Martin has provided some versatility in 2024, but hasn’t really helped in fantasy with a .669 OPS in 152 at-bats.

This is now the fourth straight game that Kepler has missed with knee soreness. The Twins claim it’s not a major injury, but it’s not a great sign that he hasn’t yet gotten into the starting lineup. Austin Martin will start in center field and bat ninth with Matt Wallner sliding over the right field.

Kepler was scratched from Monday’s lineup with knee soreness, and the outfielder will not be able to go — at least to begin Tuesday’s game — a day later. Michael Helman is getting the start in right field, while Austin Martin will be in the other corner.

Buxton will miss his second straight contest due to lower back tightness following a precautionary exit over the weekend after a collision with the center-field wall on Sunday. It’ll be rookie Austin Martin filling in once again during his ongoing absence. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for the moment. Given the uncertain nature of back ailments, we’re not ruling out the possibility that Buxton could require a trip to the injured list.

Miranda was hit in the head by a Alex Faedo pitch in the first inning. The infielder did leave under his own power, but he was unable to continue in the game. Austin Martin has replaced Miranda.

Buxton initially stayed in the game after a lengthy examination of his right hand/wrist area following a hit-by-pitch in the seventh inning; however, he was removed from the game when the Twins went into the field and replaced by Austin Martin. We’ll have to wait to hear more about Buxton’s status, but this is the same side where he was having elbow/forearm soreness before the All-Star Break, so the team may choose to be cautious with him.

The Twins placed Carlos Correa (heel) on the 10-day injured list on Saturday while activating Martin and calling up Edouard Julien from Triple-A St. Paul, so it’s anyone’s guess as to how the playing time is going to shake out. Before landing on the injured list on July 7 with a right oblique strain, Martin was hitting .265/.331/.372 with a homer, nine RBI and six swipes over 113 at-bats.