Byron Buxton appears close to returning from the injured list and the Twins have no plans to give the veteran center fielder more off days as the team winds down a season that won’t end in the postseason.

Sidelined since leaving a July 26 loss to Washington with inflammation in his left rib cage, Buxton will travel to New York for a three-game series against the Yankees and could be activated as early as Monday.

Before getting hurt, Buxton, 31, was on pace to get near his career-high of 140 games played in 2017. He has played in 85 games and been on the IL twice, the first time for a concussion suffered in a collision with then-teammate Carlos Correa.

“I think we’re just going to plan on playing Buck every day as he has been,” manager Rocco Baldelli said before the Twins series finale against Kansas City on Sunday. “When he needs a day, he gets a day. It’s pretty straightforward. I’m not overthinking it. I think we’re going to have Buck on the field every day that he is capable of playing.”

An all-star for the second time this season, Buxton leads the Twins in home runs (23), RBIs (59), triples (4), stolen bases (17) and — among players with at least 50 at-bats — OPS (.901)..

Keaschall and counting

Rookie infielder Luke Keaschall has reached base in all 12 of his major league games, and has an 11-game hit streak to start his major league career.

Playing second base in his fifth game since returning from a broken forearm, Keaschall singled sharply to left field to lead off the second inning to extend his streak.

Keaschall is now second in team history to only Glen Williams, who started his major league career with a 13-game hitting streak in 2005.

Welcome to the club

Ryan Fitzgerald, a longtime minor league vet who signed a minor league contract with the Twins, hit a two-run home run to right field in the third inning for his first major league hit.

Playing third base, Fitzgerald, 31, is the 15th player in Twins history to homer for his first major league hit. The last to do it was Caleb Hamilton on Sept. 25, 2022.

Briefly

Mickey Gasper became the first catcher other than Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vazquez to start a game behind the plate for the Twins since the start of the 2023 season. … Prior to Sunday’s game, the Twins and Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety recognized nearly 70 state law enforcement officers who collectively made 5,120 driving while impaired arrests — nearly 20% of state’s DWI arrests in 2024. The group included seven police officers from St. Paul, Maplewood, South St. Paul and Woodbury.

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A Minnesota Department of Corrections — Rush City inmate stabbed at least one guard and injured three others, officials said Sunday.

All four were taken to local hospitals for treatment. The stabbed officer remains hospitalized and is being treated for a non-life threatening injury. Officials said he is expected to fully recover.

Officials said that about 3:20 p.m. Saturday, staff were conducting routine cell searches when they found homemade alcohol, known as “hooch.” When they approached the incarcerated person who had the hooch, he stabbed one correctional officer with a “shank,” a makeshift weapon.

That officer received a puncture wound. Three other officers who subdued and restrained the person were also injured.

After the attack, the prison was put on lockdown. The man who authorities allege had the alcohol and assaulted the officers is being transferred to the state Department of Corrections maximum security facility in Oak Parks Heights. The area where the assault occurred will remain on lockdown through the weekend, officials said.

The man who allegedly assaulted the officers is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. The incident is being investigated by the DOC’s office of special investigations, which will forward its finding to the Chisago County Attorney’s Office for review and consideration of felony assault charges, officials said.

“This senseless act of violence serves as a stark reminder of the dangers correctional staff face every day in service to public safety,” said Paul Schnell, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections. “We are grateful for the swift and courageous actions of our staff, and we are providing them the care and support they need. We will pursue every available remedy to hold the assailant accountable for this cowardly attack.”

Additional updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

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FOOD

David Best

United Natural Foods, a Rhode Island-based grocery wholesaler, announced the appointment of David Best as president and chief executive officer of Retail, effective Aug. 17, leading the company’s two retail banners, Stillwater-based Cub Foods and Shoppers Food Warehouse. Best previously was president and chief operating officer of Coborn’s, St. Cloud, and also held executive positions at General Mills and Target. He will be based in Minnesota.

ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS

Rise and Shine and Partners, Minneapolis, announced it has received the Ad Age Small Agency of the Year GOLD Midwest Award.

AIRPORTS

The Metropolitan Airports Commission announced the promotion of Eric Gilles to director of planning within its Planning and Development Division. Gilles previously was MAC’s senior airport planner. MAC owns and operates Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and six general aviation airports in the Twin Cities.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Portico Benefit Services, an Edina-based employee benefits ministry serving staff and faith leaders in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, announced the appointment of Paul Sterling as chief operating officer. Most recently, Sterling has served as COO for Employer Health Innovation Roundtable, a World50 Group company. … Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co., a Minneapolis-based provider of professional liability insurance for attorneys, announced the addition of Kathryn Lindley as vice president of claims. Lindley’s résumé includes stints at Meagher & Geer and OneBeacon Insurance.

HEALTH CARE

UnitedHealth Group, an Eden Prairie-based national health insurer and pharmacy and care provider, announced Wayne S. DeVeydt as chief financial officer, effective Sept. 2. He succeeds John F. Rex, who will become strategic adviser to the CEO on the same date. DeVeydt most recently served as a managing director and operating partner at Bain Capital. .. Fresenius Kidney Care, in partnership with CentraCare, announced the opening of a dialysis center at 1020 South 1st Street, Suite 202, Willmar. Staff includes Keri Willmar, director of operations; Michael Moll, director of operations, and Dr. Eric Haugen, medical director.

LAW

Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced it has been named Outstanding Pro Bono Firm of the Year by the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. … Moss & Barnett, Minneapolis, announced that attorney Acacia F. Bard has joined the firm’s real estate and real estate finance teams. Previously, Bard worked as an affordable housing developer at Schafer Richardson, Minneapolis.

MANUFACTURING

Sleep Number Corp., a Minneapolis-based maker and retailer of specialty beds and mattresses, announced Bob Ryder has been appointed interim chief financial officer, succeeding Francis Lee, who will remain with the company as an adviser through Aug. 15. Ryder has been a senior adviser at Boston Consulting Group and the CEO of Horsepower Advisors.

RETAIL

Acme Tools announced Brett Grandmont as general manager of its new store in Eagan. He joins Acme Tools from UniFirst Corp., in Eagan, where he was general manager.

SPORTS

Minnesota Sports & Entertainment, the St. Paul-based owners of the Minnesota Wild NHL franchise, announced the promotion of Todd Frederickson to senior vice president of marketing and president of the Iowa Wild minor league hockey team. Frederickson previously was vice president of marketing for the Minnesota Wild.

TECHNOLOGY

Entrust, a Minneapolis-based provider of money transfer and data security services for business, announced the appointment of Tony Ball as chief executive officer. Ball succeeds Todd Wilkinson, who plans to retire on March 31, 2026. Ball has been with Entrust for nine years and is president of the Payments & Identities business. … Coherent Solutions, a St. Louis Park-based provider of software development and services for business, announced the following leadership appointments: Tom Stallings in the newly created role of chief revenue officer; and Shawn Torkelson as global chief marketing officer.

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EMAIL ITEMS to businessnews@pioneerpress.com.

It’s unlikely the Vikings will ask new franchise quarterback J.J. McCarthy to suit up again in the preseason. Not with the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears slowly starting to come into focus.

There was some value in him playing on Saturday afternoon in the team’s first preseason game, a 20-10 victory over Houston at U.S. Bank Stadium because the limited snaps gave head coach Kevin O’Connell a chance to see McCarthy in a game since he tore a meniscus in his right knee in his first preseason game last August.

“He really wanted to see the operation and the fundamentals and doing the simple things at a high level,” McCarthy said. “Obviously, there are a couple of things here and there that we’ve got to clean up, but I feel we left today in a great spot.”

There were highs and lows from McCarthy on the 13-play, 58-yard drive that he led before spending the rest of the game on the sideline.

Let’s analyze each play from McCarthy’s brief appearance:

1st and 10 from own 12-yard line

Not surprisingly, O’Connell started the game by having McCarthy hand off to running back Jordan Mason, who fell forward for a minimal gain. There wasn’t much to write home about from McCarthy’s perspective other than him getting everybody in the right spot before the snap.

2nd and 9 from own 13-yard line

The intent of the opening run made sense when considering the O’Connell scripted some play-action for McCarthy on the very next play. After carrying out his fake, McCarthy bootlegged to the left, then threw on the run to receiver Jordan Addison. It wasn’t the most accurate throw; Addison had to make a slight adjustment with the ball in the air. It still went down as a completion, and that shouldn’t be ignored.

3rd and 4 from own 18-yard line

After catching the snap out of the shotgun, McCarthy went through his progression before connecting with Addison in stride over the middle. That simple pitch and catch went for 10 yards and helped move the chains. It was good example of McCarthy taking what the defense was giving him rather than trying to do too much. That’s exactly how he will be asked to play more often than not.

1st and 10 from own 28-yard line

This was a handoff to Mason that went for a nice gain up the middle. It embodied the physicality with which the offense wants to carry itself. It also opened up the playbook for the O’Connell to to dial up whatever the Vikings wanted.

2nd and 5 from own 33-yard line

This was undoubtedly the highlight of the opening possession for McCarthy. He took the snap under center, faked a handoff in the backfield, and stood tall in the pocket with pressure in his face. Though he had a defender diving into his legs as he prepared to let it rip, McCarthy was able to get enough mustard on the pass to find Addison on the sideline for a gain of 18 yards. Not only did that play showcase McCarthy’s arm talent, it showed his ability to throw with anticipation.

1st and 10 from opposing 49-yard line

The healthy dose of Mason continued with another handoff that went for a good chunk of yards. He’s going to be a perfect complement for veteran running back Aaron Jones. That duo in the backfield should make life easier for McCarthy.

2nd and 1 from opposing 40-yard line

This was completion from McCarthy to fullback C.J. Ham that lost yardage. The defense wasn’t fooled by the play action this time; there was a defender in McCarthy’s face as he rolled out, and a defender in Ham’s face as he caught the ball.

3rd and 4 from opposing 43-yard line

If there’s a throw that McCarthy might want back, it’s this misfire to receiver Lucky Jackson. He got a little bit sped up with his processing and tried to muscle the ball into the vacated space over the middle. Asked about the play after the game, McCarthy noted that if he would have waited an extra click in the pocket, it would have made for an easier throw with a better chance at being completed.

4th and 4 from opposing 43-yard line

There was a lot to like about this play as McCarthy recognized a blitz, escaped to the outside, then used his legs to move the chains. The conviction that McCarthy showed while deciding to tuck and run was a direct result of a conversation he had with O’Connell in training camp. In a practice situation, McCarthy scrambled outside of the pocket then threw across his body rather taking the yards in front of him. The fact that McCarthy was able to take what he learned in a practice and apply it to a game is good sign.

1st and 10 from opposing 35-yard line

This was a screen that never had much of a chance. The defender recognized it right away and knocked the ball down as McCarthy tried to find Addison in the flat.

2nd and 10 from opposing 35-yard line

In an effort to set up a more manageable situation, O’Connell opted to have McCarthy hand off to Mason. It did the job as Mason found a crease and plowed forward for another nice gain up the middle.

3rd and 5 from opposing 30-yard line

It probably isn’t ideal for McCarthy to be throwing off his back foot while in field goal range. That said, McCarthy got away with it, and actually nearly completed a pass to Mason.

4th and 5 from opposing 30-yard line

After the offense stalled out, kicker Will Reichard trotted onto the field and nailed a 48-yard field goal. That will likely be McCarthy’s only drive of the preseason, and while he would have loved for it to end with a touchdown, it’s encouraging that the offense ran smoothly with him under center.

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