Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins Has Lobbied to Make the Postseason Roster

The Minnesota Twins have wrapped up the American League Central crown and will play in the wild card round of the playoffs.

That best-of-three series will be played at Target Field in Minneapolis. The Twins could end up playing any of the Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros or Seattle Mariners.

While they don't yet know the opponent, they also don't know the postseason roster yet.

Slugger Byron Buxton, who has dealt with a knee issue and has been rehabbing, has reportedly lobbied to manager Rocco Baldelli for his own inclusion on the roster.

Per MLBTradeRumors:

(Lavelle E) Neal notes that young infielder Royce Lewis is likely to take up the DH spot in the postseason lineup while he nurses a hamstring strain that’s prevented him from taking the field. That leaves Buxton unlikely to return to the lineup as a DH in the postseason, meaning that he’ll need to prove he’s healthy enough to play the field in addition to hitting...

Per Neal, Buxton met with Twins manager Rocco Baldelli on Wednesday in order to make the argument that he should be included on the postseason roster. As things stand right now, whether or not Buxton will make an appearance on the club’s postseason roster figures to be decided by how Buxton performs in workouts at Target Field over the weekend, with Neal noting that Buxton is set to hit, run, and play center field while the Twins face the Rockies in Colorado this weekend.

It has been a frustrating season - and career - for Buxton, who has had all kinds of trouble staying healthy.

He's in his ninth year in the big leagues, all with the Twins, and has played more than 100 games just once. He also missed 21 games in the shortened COVID season.

He's hitting just .207 this year with 17 homers and 42 RBI.

When healthy, he's one of the most talented players in baseball and he made the All-Star team in 2022.

The Twins play the Rockies on Friday night at 8:10 p.m. ET.

For scoreboard watching purposes as to the Twins possible playoff opponents:

Blue Jays hosting the Rays.

Astros at Diamondbacks.

Mariners hosting the Rangers.

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