Buxton energized as return nears; Larnach sidelined

DETROIT -- Byron Buxton had a smile after his pregame work on Wednesday. He’s not ready to be activated just yet, but he’s taken a big step forward in the last couple of days.

“I’m hitting now,” Buxton said. “Definitely in good spirits when I can swing a bat.”

Technically, Buxton was eligible to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday after missing a week and a half due to cartilage irritation in his left ribcage. And his workouts have progressed to include all baseball activities. But it’s probably still a matter of a few days before he’s activated.

“I started [hitting] yesterday,” he said Wednesday morning. “Did a good bit yesterday. Just kind of working my way back into it. Pushing myself a little bit. Nothing crazy, but just trying to … I want to play when I’m ready to play. It’s one little thing right now that’s kind of a little nag, but should be good [in a] couple days.”

Buxton joined the Twins on this road trip for two reasons. One was the hope that he could possibly be reinstated on Wednesday. But beyond that, he and the club both felt it was valuable for Buxton to be with his teammates in the days immediately after the Trade Deadline.

That has certainly been the case. Having the veteran heart of the clubhouse present at a tumultuous time has benefited both Buxton and his teammates. He said Wednesday that he feels a sense of normalcy returning to the roster after last week’s upheaval.

“We’ve played a few games now,” he said. “I think the guys in here have let that -- a week ago -- kind of brush away and focus on what we can control in here. That’s going out there and playing good baseball and winning. Winning is always the main goal. Whatever it takes to get a ‘W,’ that’s what we’ve got to do.”

Larnach scratched

Trevor Larnach was a late scratch from Wednesday’s game due to what the Twins called “left side soreness.” Larnach, who had homered in each of the two previous games, was in the initial starting lineup in left field.

But about an hour before the game, he was removed. Kody Clemens moved from first base to left field, and Edouard Julien was added to the lineup at first base.