Carlos Correa appears ready to return to Twins lineup

It appears one of the Twins’ concussion victims, probably Carlos Correa, is ready to return to the lineup.

The Twins on Thursday optioned utility infielder Ryan Fitzgerald back to Class AAA St. Paul, opening a roster spot on the major-league roster. The only position players on the injured list close to returning are Byron Buxton and Correa, sidelined since their collision in Baltimore one week ago. And head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta said Wednesday that Correa, whose symptoms have disappeared, was closer to returning.

Optioning Fitzgerald, an infielder who went 0-for-3 with the Twins this week, indicates that it’s an infielder who is returning, though the Twins will wait until Friday, when the Royals arrive for a three-game series, to announce the corresponding move.

Another infielder, Mickey Gasper, served as the 27th man for Wednesday’s doubleheader, but he did not appear in either game and was returned to St. Paul afterward.

THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD

All games on Twins.tv, 830-AM and 102.9-FM

Friday, 7:10 p.m.: LHP Noah Cameron (1-1, 0.71 ERA) vs. RHP Pablo López (4-2, 2.40)

Saturday, 1:10 p.m.: RHP Michael Wacha (3-4, 2.86 ERA) vs. RHP Zebby Matthews (0-1, 12.00)

Sunday, 1:10 p.m.: LHP Kris Bubic (5-2, 2.47 ERA) vs. RHP Bailey Ober (4-1, 3.68)

KANSAS CITY UPDATE

The Royals (28-23) continue their six-game road trip after winning two of three from the Giants in San Francisco. The Royals won the series finale 8-4 on Wednesday and are tied with the Twins for second place in the AL Central. ... The Royals won three of four games from the Twins April 7-10 in Kansas City. ... The Royals have scored four runs or fewer in 42 of their 51 games. That is the second most in MLB. Only Pittsburgh (44) has more. The Royals are 19-23 when scoring four or fewer runs. The Royals scored four or fewer runs in each of the four games against the Twins last month. Two of the wins were by one run and one was by two runs. The Royals are 13-7 in day games and have the second-best staff ERA (3.03) in MLB.

3B Maikel Garcia is hitting .315 with five home runs and 22 RBI and SS Bobby Witt Jr. is hitting .305 with 5 home runs and 28 RBI. ... The Royals placed starting pitchers Cole Ragans (left groin strain) and Seth Lugo (finger strain on pitching hand) on the injured list on May 17. Cameron and LHP Evan Sisk were recalled from Triple-A to replace Ragans and Lugo. Cameron, a rookie, has allowed just one earned run in 12⅔ innings in two starts.

TWINS UPDATE

The Twins (27-22) are 16-7 at home after having a 10-game winning streak at Target Field ended in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against Cleveland. ... The Twins are 20-7 since April 22. The Royals and Detroit each have 19 victories in that span. ... The Twins are 9-11 against AL Central teams this season. In the first series with the Royals, Joe Ryan pitched seven shutout innings in the Twins’ only victory — 4-0 on April 9. ... The Twins are 3-3 against lefthanded starters.

LHP Danny Coulombe (left forearm muscle strain) was placed on injured list on Sunday, retroactive to May 15. ... OF Matt Wallner (hamstring) began a rehab assignment with the Class AAA Saints in St. Paul on Thursday. ... Rookie IF Luke Keaschall (nondisplaced fracture of his right forearm) is out.