Toe issue keeps Twins' Byron Buxton sidelined

Byron Buxton was honored on Friday for winning Platinum and Gold Gloves last season — while the Twins wait for him and his elite defense to return to the active roster.

Buxton was sidelined another day Friday because of a sore toe, an injury suffered on Sunday when he fouled a ball off his foot while playing for Class A Fort Myers during a minor league rehabilitation assignment. That happened to be Buxton's first game since recovering from a migraine.

The plan was for Buxton to meet the team Wednesday in New York. That didn't happen, and Buxton continues to be sidelined.

"The toe issue is lingering a little more than we like," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "So we are going to have our people look at him."

Max Kepler has handled most of the duties in center field while Buxton recovers. Ryan LaMarre has started in center against lefthanded starters.

Buxton watched Friday's game from the dugout.

Brian Dozier also was honored before the game for winning a Gold Glove last season.

David Hale, we barely knew ya.The righthander was claimed off waivers from the Yankees on Thursday, made his Twins debut on Friday — pitching three innings — then was designated for assignment after the game.

That is what happens when you join a used-up bullpen. The Twins need pitchers who can give them innings and will announce a corresponding move Saturday.

Hale was all smiles before the game as he talked about nearly signing with the Twins during the offseason.

"They were one of the teams I was considering signing with," Hale, 30, said. "The Yankees gave me a big league invite. That was kind of the deciding factor."

That's what made Monday's game against the Yankees more than interesting. Hale pitched the final two innings of New York's 14-1 win. The Yankees then designated Hale for assignment and the Twins claimed him.

Then he faced the Reds, giving up four runs on four hits and four walks.

"I give David credit for going out and giving us what he had," Molitor said.

Then Hale was sent out.

Luke Bard is back with the Twins.

The righthander has been returned to the club from the Angels, who designated him for assignment last week when they needed a fresh arm. Bard gave up seven earned runs in 11 ⅔ innings while with the Angels.

Bard, 27, was drafted by the Twins in 2012 but has pitched in only 132 minor league games due to injuries. He was healthy last season, and was selected by the Angels in the Rule 5 draft. No team claimed Bard when he was placed on waivers, so the Angels, per rule, had to offer him back to the Twins.

Bard has been assigned to Class AAA Rochester.

The Twins promoted lefthander Stephen Gonsalves to Class AAA Rochester. Gonsalves, one of the top prospects in the organization, was 3-0 with a 1.77 ERA in four starts at Class AA Chattanooga.

He takes the place of lefthander Adalberto Mejia, who was placed on the DL because of a blister issue. Mejia left his last start after one inning when the issue flared up.