FORT MYERS, Fla. — Byron Buxton has had more than 30 at-bats this spring against live pitching, Jorge Polanco just a handful fewer. They haven't come in actual games, but in simulated ones, against Twins pitchers and prospects trying to get them out.
So while both players are avoiding Grapefruit League games and any chance of a setback to the knees that sidelined them last season, Derek Falvey said Saturday, they figure to be ready for the start of the 2023 season, now less than three weeks away.
"We're targeting Opening Day, for sure," said Falvey, the Twins' president of baseball operations. "Everything works back from there. Our medical folks … are telling us that's in play, barring anything changing. And both guys' feedback has been positive."
That includes defensive work under controlled settings, he said, getting them ramped up without tweaking Buxton's surgically repaired right knee, or retriggering the tendinitis in Polanco's left knee. The Twins never expected either one to make their spring debuts until late in camp.
"Polo and Buck are still on track with what we expected," Falvey said. "They're getting live at-bats and doing work behind the scenes."
Nick Gordon, meanwhile, has recovered from his left ankle sprain so quickly, Falvey sounded confident he'll be ready for the March 30 season opener, too. Gordon has been cleared to begin baseball light workouts, and "we feel pretty good about where he's at now."
Same for Jose Miranda, who has begun playing catch, the first step toward testing his sore right shoulder later this week. Miranda's pain when throwing hasn't affected his hitting; the third baseman hit three home runs last week, and doubled home a run on Saturday.
Alex Kirilloff, however, may need more time than the Twins have left in camp, as he returns from surgery on his right wrist.