Buxton, Lindor look to make impacts in AL Central

News and notes from the AL Central:

Twins

Expected to be one of the worst teams in baseball this season while occupying last place in the division from start to finish, Minnesota was a huge surprise over the first two months of the season under rookie manager Paul Molitor.

Seemingly sparked by a four-game home sweep of the White Sox in early May, the Twins occupied first place in the Central for 10 days.

Losing eight of its last 10 is an obvious sign that reality is setting in for Minnesota, but the arrival of top prospect Byron Buxton on Sunday bodes well for the future.

"We have a lot of confidence," Molitor told the Star Tribune. "He's a gifted young man, but makeup is a big part of what he brings to the table. He's an exciting player, but he's still learning how to hit. And up here, they're going to learn in a hurry what he can and cannot hit. So we'll see how he adjusts."

Buxton, a 21-year-old center fielder, batted .283 with 6 home runs, 37 RBI, 12 triples and 20 stolen bases in 59 games with Class AA Chattanooga before getting the call from the Twins.

He was 2-for-10 in his first three games with Minnesota.

Indians

Sunday was a big day for top prospects in the Central.

In addition to Buxton joining the Twins, shortstop Francisco Lindor got the call from Cleveland.

"I'm playing in the big leagues," Lindor told The Plain Dealer. "It can't get any better."

Lindor, also 21, opened the season at Class AAA Columbus and was batting .400 (18-for-45) in June.

He made his first major-league start Tuesday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Royals

Kansas City is a solid team that is showing last year's surprise run to the World Series was no fluke.

But if the All-Star Game was played today, eight Royals would be starting for the American League.

Clearly, there is a serious flaw in the voting system.

Royals second baseman Omar Infante is on top of the ballot even though his hitting line is .210/.219/.292.

"I know I don't have the numbers," Infante told the Kansas City Star. "But I don't have control over that. The fans voted for me. I appreciate that."

Tigers

The four-time defending division champions are a little down this season, but don't count the Tigers out in the Central.

Out since May 19 with knee soreness, 36-year-old designated hitter Victor Martinez could be back in the lineup this weekend.

After dealing with triceps soreness, Justin Verlander returned to Detroit's rotation Saturday and pitched 5 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits in his first start of the season.

"I felt good, but I felt sore, more sore than I thought I would be," Verlander told the Detroit Free Press. "It's like asking me to pitch a major-league baseball game in the middle of spring training. I'd be pretty sore then, too."

scouting report

White Sox vs. Pittsburgh Pirates at U.S. Cellular Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet Plus today; WGN Thursday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Sox' John Danks (3-6) vs. Jeff Locke (3-3) today; Jeff Samardzija (4-4) vs. Gerrit Cole (10-2) Thursday. Both games 7:10 p.m.

At a glance: After playing at Pittsburgh on Monday and Tuesday, the White Sox return home to host the Pirates in another two-game series. The Sox have really struggled in the first inning, being outscored 53-19. Danks has lost his last 2 starts while allowing 8 earned runs on 19 hits in 10 innings. Cole, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft, leads the National League in wins and ERA (1.71) while striking out 93 in 84 innings.

Next: Texas Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field, Friday-Sunday

- Scot Gregor