WATCH: Culpepper, Hoffman discuss Target Field debuts; Lee, Shelton chat Twins’ 9-game roadtrip behind & 9-game homestand ahead

Before the Twins played the first game of their nine-game homestand on Monday, Derek Shelton threw batting practice to Byron Buxton.

That’s notable for two reasons: it means Byron Buxton may be close to re-joining the Twins lineup, and Shelton said it was the first time he’s thrown batting practice in seven years.

Buxton’s been out with hip soreness for two weeks. He took batting practice and did some baserunning during Monday’s pre-game session indicating he could be back in the lineup soon.

This “nine-game homestand” consists of eight games played at Target Field and the Twins designated as the home team for a game at the Field of Dreams complex in Dyersville, Iowa on Thursday.

Click the video box on this page to watch pregame clubhouse interviews with Twins players Brooks Lee, Kaelen Culpepper, Jeff Hoffman and manager Derek Shelton

Shelton also said Joe Ryan did some throwing during...