Prospects Buxton, Lindor called up

With a depleted outfield and a winless week r to drop them out of the AL Central lead, the Minnesota Twins are ready to add the player considered by many the top prospect in the minors.

Byron Buxton is being promoted from Double-A to make his major-league debut Sunday for the Twins, who have lost five games in a row after an 11-7 loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday.

“Everyone hopes that he’ll come in and make it tough to think about sending him back,” manager Paul Molitor said. “We have a lot of confidence. ... He’s an exciting player, but he’s still learning how to hit.”

The Twins announced Saturday their plan to select his contract from Chattanooga. The 21-year-old will play center field in the finale of the threegame series in Texas.

In 59 games for Chattanooga this season, Buxton hit .283 with 12 triples, and scored a Southern League-high 44 runs. He also had 37 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and six home runs.

The Indians plan to promote top prospect Francisco Lindor from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, where the slick-fielding shortstop was hitting .279. Lindor, 21, was a first-round draft pick in 2011. More Twins’ news: Minnesota outfielder Torii Hunter dropped the appeal of his twogame suspension and started serving it Saturday. MLB suspended Hunter and also fined him an undisclosed amount for his equipment-throwing tantrum during Wednesday’s home loss to Kansas City.

A game-deciding error against Minnesota center fielder Aaron Hicks on Friday is a two-run double for Texas’ Mitch Moreland after a scoring change Saturday. Briefly: Detroit’s Victor Martinez, on the disabled list since May 19 with knee inflammation, will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo. ... Cleveland activated right-handed reliever Scott Atchison from the DL and optioned right-hander C.C. Lee to Triple-A Columbus. ... The Royals placed starting pitcher Jason Vargas on the 15-day DL with a strained left forearm.