As the Twins prepare to begin a three-game series on the road against the Seattle Mariners, their offense receives a much-needed boost and is expecting to receive another soon.

Twins center fielder Byron Buxton returns from 7-day concussion list; corner outfielder Matt Wallner likely to return Saturday

The Twins announced via X they activated Buxton, who last appeared in a game on May 15 when he collided with Carlos Correa in a 4-0 win at Baltimore, from the 7-day concussion list after demoting corner outfielder Carson McCusker, who went 1-for-6 with a bloop single in his limited time in the big leagues, following the Twins’ 4-0 loss against the Tampa Bay Rays in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday.

Minnesota gets its star center fielder right when it needs him. Buxton, who is slashing .261/.312/.522 with ten home runs, five doubles and three triples, joins a Twins team that only scored 22 runs in their last eight games. The Twins hope Buxton can play a part in reviving the offense.

Buxton has arguably been the Twins’ most valuable player to this point in the season, as he leads the team in fWAR at 1.9 and is tied for second in bWAR with 1.8.

Wallner, who has been sidelined since April 16 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, is likely to return Saturday, according to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes. Wallner, along with Buxton, could provide the Twins’ offense the spark it needs.

Wallner, who began a rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints on May 22, provided the Twins with an impressive .263/.373/.474 batting line with a homer, five doubles and two triples before suffering his hamstring injury. Wallner has been on a tear in his rehab assignment with the Saints, going 8-for-25 with five home runs, a double and 13 RBI.

Twins set to begin three-game set with Mariners on Friday

Game 1 of the upcoming series between the Twins and Mariners is slated to commence at 9:10 p.m. CT at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The scheduled starting pitchers are Twins righty Zebby Matthews (7.71 ERA) and Mariners righty Bryan Woo (2.69 ERA).