DYERSVILLE, Iowa — His return didn’t occur as soon as he preferred, but at least Byron Buxton is feeling comfortable.“The biggest thing is I’m not being cautious,” he said.When the Minnesota Twins emerged from the cornfield for Thursday night’s Field of Dreams contest, they did so alongside their star center fielder. Buxton rejoined the Twins after missing 14 games with a right hip impingement, an injury that’s bugged him repeatedly since mid-May.The three-time All-Star doubled in four at-bats, but the Twins were drubbed 7-1 by the Philadelphia Phillies. Buxton, who’s appeared in 83 of the Twins’ 123 games, originally aimed to return last Friday in Milwaukee.“The body just didn’t allow me,” Buxton said.But when the team was in Milwaukee, Buxton’s rehab efforts began to intensify. On Monday, Buxton worked out on the field for the first time since he’d gone on the 10-day injured list on July 29.Twins manager Derek Shelton liked what he’d heard and seen from Buxton and promised the outfielder wouldn’t return simply to be the team’s designated hitter.Because Thursday was a showcase, the Twins were allowed to add Buxton to the roster as the 27th man without making a subsequent move. They also targeted that day because both teams are off Friday with the series resuming on Saturday.Though he didn’t want to make too much of Thursday’s festivities, Buxton acknowledged enjoying the event. Like just about everyone else, Buxton loved when both teams were joined on the field during pregame ceremonies by 26 baseball Hall of Famers. Buxton specifically sought out Chicago Cubs pitcher Ferguson Jenkins, who was one of his father’s favorite players.“It was a big event,” Buxton said. “Didn’t treat it as no different game. End of the day, you want to go out there and win, do your job. But definitely was fun. It’s my first time here. Being able to see what the movie was like was a little surreal.”It was a big moment for Buxton when he doubled with two outs in the fifth inning as the speedster had a chance to show off his wheels.“I’m just going out and playing the game like I normally play,” Buxton said. “Just being smart.”Here’s more news and notes from the Twins clubhouse at Thursday’s Field of Dreams contest.• Luke Keaschall doubled, homered and walked in four trips to the plate on Thursday, providing the Twins with their only run. But the focus of Keaschall’s game will be on the play he didn’t make on Kyle Schwarber’s second home run, a ball that bounced off his glove as he leapt and attempted to steal the round-tripper at the fence.
Byron Buxton emerges from cornfield to give Twins needed pop, plus more Field of Dreams notes
The All-Star center fielder returned after missing the team's previous 14 games with a hip injury that has nagged him since May.







