Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa were in the same lineup for the first time in the season’s second half. So, are the Twins optimizing their star players as they return from injury?

Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa may be back on the active roster, but the Twins have made it clear that the two stars are not fully healthy.

The Twins featured Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis in the same lineup Saturday night for the first time since July 2. But it won’t be two days in a row that the band is all back together as Correa and Buxton are out of the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Cincinnati Reds.

“Frankly, I think if we had noticeably more time, he would have gone out on a rehab assignment,” Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli said. “But he also was adamant that, ‘I will be ready. I will come back and play. I don’t have to play in minor league games.’ The confidence level in the way that he talked about it probably played a big part in it.”

The Twins activated All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa from the 10-day injured list ahead of Saturday's game against the Reds.

Ready or not, the Twins' two injured stars are returning to the lineup, and Max Kepler could also be close to joining them.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa and outfielder Byron Buxton are not in the lineup as the Twins look to avoid a series sweep against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon.

Both Twins stars were just activated from the injured list following long absences, but the team will continue to be careful with them.

The Minnesota Twins have both Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa back but they are a shell of themselves heading into the postseason.