TORONTO -- Rookie center fielder Byron Buxton is set to start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester as a designated hitter on Friday, Twins assistant general manager Rob Antony said Thursday.
Buxton, ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect by MLB.com, has been out since June 24 with a sprained left thumb. He spent the last week playing in simulated games at the club's Spring Training complex in Fort Myers, Fla., and he'll join Rochester on Friday for the start of its three-game series in Charlotte, N.C.
Antony said he wasn't aware of any restrictions on Buxton, but that he'll be eased in as a DH in his first game on Friday.