Buxton, Gonzalez activated off injured list

CHICAGO -- The Twins' lineup is finally starting to look like itself again.

Byron Buxton and Marwin Gonzalez were both activated off the 10-day injured list and were in the starting lineup Saturday to provide a much-needed boost to what had been a critically injury-depleted Twins outfield. In corresponding moves, Jake Cave and LaMonte Wade Jr. were optioned back to Triple-A Rochester.

"We haven’t had our full group out there in a while, so just the start of getting those guys back on the field -- and obviously we’re still waiting a little bit to get the full group out there -- but just getting those guys back is a nice start, and we’ll go from here," manager Rocco Baldelli said.

Buxton had missed the Twins' last 13 games with a right wrist contusion sustained on a hit by pitch June 14, while Gonzalez missed nine games after he left a game with a right hamstring strain. They both took batting practice and participated in baserunning and outfield drills Friday, and the Twins ultimately determined that neither would require a rehab assignment.

Buxton went 0-for-4 at the plate, while Gonzalez went 1-for-5 during the Twins' 10-3 victory over the White Sox on Saturday.

"I think they’re feeling pretty confident in their bodies right now and where they’re at," Baldelli said. "I didn’t think that we needed a rehab assignment with either one of those guys. Both seem ready to go and ready to start playing."

Their reinstatements couldn't come at a better time for a Twins offense that needs a jolt. Though Luis Arraez has continued to play well throughout his extended opportunity in the Major Leagues, the Twins went 4-5 and hit .256/.313/.401 as a team with both Gonzalez and Buxton on the injured list. Both Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario were also injured at various points.

Buxton's return is particularly welcome given his defensive prowess, as Arraez had been forced into outfield duty due to the extreme injury attrition, and the Twins had, at one point, played an outfield of Willians Astudillo, Cave and Arraez. Baldelli also hopes that Buxton's energy can give the Twins' dugout a boost.

"He does so many things ... makes a lot of big plays for the team and he just makes things happen," Baldelli said. "He is a guy, though, that I do think everyone does feed off of, and having him back is probably a good jolt for them."

Gonzalez's versatility and bat are also welcome boosts for the Twins, as he had been hitting .304/.350/.607 with four homers in June. Gonzalez, who hadn't been on the injured list since 2012, was also, frankly, just bored.

"I'm happy to be back," Gonzalez said. "I was super bored. I was the guy who people were complaining that I was talking way too much. I'm finally back and trying to help the team today in the way that I've been doing."

Worth noting

• Left-handed reliever Gabriel Moya, who had been designated for assignment Tuesday, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester.

• Gibson, who threw 11 pitches in relief during the 17th inning of Thursday's marathon game against the Rays, will not make his scheduled start Sunday and will be pushed back to Wednesday. The Twins will instead tab Lewis Thorpe to make his Major League debut in the series finale.