Brooks Lee has played shortstop in nearly every game since Carlos Correa was dealt to Houston at the July 31 trade deadline. But despite taking over there, the infielder said he has never been explicitly told he’s the everyday shortstop.
“I’m just going to keep playing like I’m not going to be there,” he said last week. “I think I’ve been doing a good job so far. I’m not going to get complacent. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully I’ll stay there.”
With Correa out of the equation and other first-round shortstop selections like Kaelen Culpepper and Marek Houston still a ways from debuting, Lee has a chance to settle in at the position for the first time at the major league level.
Lee has played both second base and third base since arriving in the majors, with a bit of shortstop mixed in when Correa was either injured or had a day off. But now he has the chance to establish himself there.
“We’ve talked about guys taking this period of time as a really great opportunity. We say it over and over again,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “But I think you can see it in Brooks’ demeanor. Whether it be in his work pregame, whether he’s in the clubhouse or whether it’s during the game, that I think he’s more relaxed right now. He’s not trying to simply go out there and just impress. He’s just trying to worry about playing the game the right way, making all the plays.”
Lee said last week that he thinks he has “been playing as good of shortstop,” as he ever has, and he seems to have developed a good, early chemistry with second baseman Luke Keaschall, who he said makes it easy on him.
“I think he wants to show what he can do as a major league shortstop, and he’s doing it,” Baldelli said. “You need innings and reps and a lot of balls to get hit your way to show a team what you’re capable of. I think he is enjoying being able to show us what he can do right now.”
Buxton hits 100
Byron Buxton has been one of the Twins’ most consistent bright spots this season, posting up nearly every day in center field as he puts up all-star numbers.
Wednesday, the Twins’ center fielder reached another personal milestone: Buxton played in his 100th game of the season, marking the first time he has done so in consecutive years and just the third time he has done it in his career.
With 29 games left to play after Wednesday, Buxton cannot eclipse his career high in games played (140), but he’s poised to breeze past the 102 games he played last season.
Buxton has missed time this season after colliding with Correa in May, leaving both concussed. He also missed a couple of weeks with ribcage inflammation but has otherwise been relatively healthy.
Briefly
The Twins will have Thursday off before returning to Target Field to host the San Diego Padres. It will mark the first time former Twin Luis Arraez has returned since the Twins traded him to Miami for starting pitcher Pablo López in 2023. … The Twins optioned Pierson Ohl to make room on the active roster for Simeon Woods Richardson, who started Wednesday’s game. … Erasmo Ramírez, who was designated for assignment over the weekend, has accepted his assignment to Triple-A.
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