Swing change helps Jeffers boost numbers

Since returning to the big leagues with the Twins, Ryan Jeffers has posted some significantly improved numbers.

The rookie backstop’s first stint in the Majors this season saw him post a slash line of .147/.216/.176 with no homers and just one RBI. After spending time with Triple-A Saint Paul to work on his swing, Jeffers' batting average and power numbers have improved.

In his first 35 at-bats since returning from the Minors on June 2, Jeffers hit .257 with a .629 slugging percentage.

“I was able to go down there and find my groove and find my confidence, find my swing,” Jeffers said. “That gave me the luxury to come up here.”

The difference for him has been the change to his swing. Jeffers has normally finished with a two-handed swing, but while with Triple-A Saint Paul he worked on a one-handed finish that has led to more power at the plate.

“It's something that's very new for me. I've always been a two-hand finish guy in everything,” he said. “In pregame work and drill work, all of that stuff, I've been really trying hard to get to that one hand all the time. All my best swings, all of my home runs since I've been up, have been with that one-handed finish.”

The 24-year-old said the change is “the icing on top that pushes it over the edge” for his swing, but it has come with some struggles. He said that keeping a consistent finish on his swings has been a bit of a challenge.

“It's something that's a little harder in game to implement just because I've always finished with two hands, so much that sometimes my muscle memory just takes over and finishes with two,” he said. “It's a weird concept.”

Buxton possibly headed for more rehab games

The Twins have been without Byron Buxton in their lineup since May 6 after he went down with a right hip strain. Buxton, the third leading vote-getter for AL outfielders in this year’s All-Star game voting, was slashing .370/.408/.772 before going down with the injury and could be sent to Triple-A Saint Paul to play in rehab games before he makes his long-awaited return.

“He may play more rehab games,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “That’s not a definite at this point, but it’s certainly a possibility and the reason why he’s here with us now is that those rehab games weren’t going to come early this week. If he was going to play more rehab games, they would be either much later this week or potentially early next week.”

Buxton has been with the Twins for their road series in Seattle and is going through pregame workouts as part of his rehab process. Running was added to his regimen on Wednesday, which Baldelli said would be factor in when the club activates Buxton.

“When Buck can run, he’s going to play and if he’s inhibited, frankly if I think he’s going out there and putting himself at risk by sprinting to reinjure himself, then he’s not going to play,” Baldelli said. “If he’s healthy, he’s going to play.”

In nine at-bats with Triple-A Saint Paul, Buxton hit two home runs and drove in seven runs to go along with a .556 batting average.