Twins' Byron Buxton: Sitting to start Game 2

Buxton is not in Wednesday's Game 2 lineup against the Astros.The Twins will turn to Alex Kirilloff, their second-best prospect and a left-handed hitter, to make his big-league debut against righty Jose Urquidy, with Max Kepler sliding over to center field. Buxton will likely be used as a late-game defensive replacement or pinch runner if the situation calls for it.

Twins' Byron Buxton: Not yet fully healthy

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that Buxton was excluded from the lineup for Wednesday's Game 2 against the Astros because the outfielder "is not felling 100 percent," Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.Buxton missed the Twins' final two regular-season contests after experiencing mild concussion symptoms, but he was cleared to start in center field Tuesday in the team's postseason opener. Though he played all nine innings in Minnesota's 4-1 loss and went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts and a stolen base, Buxton may have gotten banged up somewhere along the way. While Baldelli noted that he couldn't elaborate on the nature of Buxton's condition, the skipper indicated the 26-year-old may still be available off the bench. Alex Kirilloff will pick up his first career start Wednesday in Buxton's stead.

Twins' Byron Buxton: Swipes bag in return

Buxton went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts and a stolen base in a Game 1 loss to the Astros in Tuesday's wild-card opener.Buxton was on the receiving end of a scary HBP last Friday, and he ended up sitting the final two days of the regular season while reportedly experiencing mild concussion symptoms. Fortunately, it seems he's fine for the most part, although it's not crazy to think the Twins could try to work Alex Kirilloff into the lineup for Game 2, perhaps at Buxton's expense.