Injury Updates: Astudillo hitting bombas in rehab; Buxton due back in September

The Minnesota Twins are lucky to have a short list of players on the Injured List right now. Albeit, one of their start outfielders and a teen heart-throb are on that list. Have they started rehab and when are they slated to come back?

C/UTIL Willians Astudillo, June 26, 10-day IL (oblique)

We’ll start with the teen heart-throb, La Tortuga. Astudillo started rehab with AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos last Thursday and has been tearing it up. His first at-bat in rehab was a home run and then he took a walk. You can’t get more La Tortuga than that. In five games and 17 at-bats, he’s hitting .353/.421/.765 with two homers, four RBI, and a walk. He’s expected back during September.

Rocco Baldelli has stated that the focus will be for Astudillo to strengthen his legs and focus on catching. He’s caught portions of three games totaling 18.0 innings while being the DH in two games. Aligning with Baldelli’s words, La Tortuga has not played any other positions on the field.

OF Byron Buxton, August 3, 10-day IL (shoulder subluxation)

Buxton has not been cleared to partake in baseball activities yet, such as facing live pitching and fielding drills, but has started swinging a bat. He may not be with the team before the end of the month, so a September showing is more likely. Buxton will more than likely go on a rehab assignment before heading back to the majors.

OF LaMonte Wade Jr, July 6, 10-day IL (dislocated thumb)

Wade Jr dislocated his thumb while trying to rob a homer against the Texas Rangers on July 6. He’s started a rehab assignment with A-level Cedar Rapids Kernels and has played in three games so far. In those three games, he’s accumulated two hits in 11 at-bats along with two walks against four strikeouts. In those three games, he’s been the DH once, has played right field for part of one game, and played in center field in the other. There’s no timetable for his return.

RP Trevor Hildenberger, June 17, 7-day IL (right flexor mass strain)

Hildenberger was sent down to the minors in mid-May after it was clear he was having a rough time in the majors. In mid-June, he was put on the minor-league Injured List and has gone through a rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League Twins, pitching two innings, allowing three hits and one earned run with two strikeouts. Hildy has reported to the AAA Rochester Red Wings, where he owns an 8.44 ERA in 10.2 innings with nine strikeouts against three walks. Last night, he pitched an inning of scoreless relief, yielding only one walk and earning a save in a 4-1 Red Wings win.