Byron Buxton did not proclaim himself 100% healthy on Friday.

Still, he said he’s healthy enough to go out and compete as the Twins push for a playoff berth in the final weeks of the season.

“For me, that’s good enough for myself,” Buxton said. “I know I can go out there and help the team and contribute in any possible way. It’s just one of those things where you look at where you’re at and you push through things sometimes.”

Buxton made his return to the lineup on Friday after missing a month of play with right hip inflammation. It was a very welcomed return for a team that hopes to also get Carlos Correa (heel) and Max Kepler (knee) back in the coming days. Both Correa and Kepler were out early on Friday taking live batting practice against minor league pitchers at Target Field as they prepare to return.

“We’re in the process of making those calls and seeing what those timelines look like,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “But I think we’re getting close.”

The Twins may still be without that pair, but they were excited and more than ready to welcome Buxton back. Buxton’s return was delayed for about a week after he experienced discomfort while in a rehab game with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints last week.

“It’s always going to be huge for us getting one of our main guys back and getting Buck back (Friday) is enormous, on the field, and in that room over there,” Baldelli said. “In the clubhouse, it means an incredible amount. We all know we’re just a better club, we’re going to win more games, when we have that guy healthy, on the field and playing.”

Baldelli said he doesn’t expect Buxton to play center field every day upon his return, but the manager said he believes the outfielder can play “fairly regularly,” and they will assess where Buxton is at and what he’s capable of on a daily basis.

For Buxton, making it back carries some added significance, too. Friday marked Buxton’s 91st game and he’s pushing towards 100, a number he’s reached just once in his career. He also has a chance to end the regular season healthy for the first time in years.

“Obviously, the last few years I haven’t finished the season. So, to be able to come back and finish the regular season, it’s a little goal at the end of the year I had,” Buxton said. “That’s exciting.”

Paddack throws bullpen

Chris Paddack has the playoffs on his mind.

The Twins’ starter has not pitched in a game in nearly two months as he recovers from a forearm strain, but he threw his first bullpen on Friday, which he called “a big step in the right direction.”

Paddack threw 20 pitches pregame off the mound, throwing only fastballs and changeups. He is building up to come back as a reliever and his aim is to be ready in early October, in time for the playoffs.

“Hopefully first series, whether it’s Houston, Baltimore, whoever it be,” Paddack said, referencing two teams the Twins might play in a potential wild card series. “My goal is to be ready for that. Wake up tomorrow and make sure we feel recovered and healthy.”

Twins cut catcher who was tipping pitches

The Twins cut minor league catcher Derek Bender, who was playing for the Single-A Mighty Mussels, on Thursday after he alerted opposing hitters to the specific pitches coming during a game last week, sources confirmed.

The incident occurred during a game on Sept. 6, per ESPN, that the Mighty Mussels went on to lose, eliminating them from playoff contention. Per ESPN, Bender had told his teammates that “he wanted the season to be over.”

Bender was selected by the Twins in the sixth round of this July’s draft out of Coastal Carolina University.

Briefly

Simeon Woods Richardson is lined up for the second game of the Twins’ series against the Cincinnati Reds, which will begin at 6:10 p.m. on Saturday.

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