The Twins announced that they have placed an outfielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list with right hip strain, dating back to July 6. Fellow outfielder Alan Roden remembered in the parallel movement. Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune was among those to cover the news before the club’s announcement.
Buxton is a very talented baseball player but constant injury problems have reduced the amount of his production. This is his 12th major league season but he has only twice played more than 102 games in a season.
Various injuries have contributed to his absence but his right hip has been normal. A right hip strain put him on the shelf for more than a month in 2021 and again in 2022. Right hip inflammation put him on the IL for less than a month in 2024.
It continued to be a problem here in 2025. He missed five games in mid-May with hip flexor soreness. When he returned from that affair, he spent more time as a designated player, instead of in the middle of the field. He started playing center field every June but that month ended when he suffered a hip injury. He missed four games before returning to the lineup on Saturday but was ruled out of Sunday’s game after aggravating the injury.
At the moment, it is not clear whether the twins expect to disappear for a long time. Maybe next week’s All-Star Break gives them the perfect time to give Buxton a break. If he is ready to return next week, he could only miss six games.
Whether it’s just a temporary disappearance or not, it hits the twins. Buxton is the best player on the team. He has 25 home runs, a .271/.328/.575 line and seven stolen bases this year. As mentioned, he is often kept in the DH slot, but has solid defensive metrics in the time he has spent in center.
With Buxton out, the Twins will have few options to cover center. Ryan Kreidler, Is Clemens, Austin Martin again Kyler Fedko all have seen time at the position this year, although Clemens is currently playing second base almost every day and probably needs to stay there. Roden has limited experience at the position and could pitch in.
No one on that team can be expected to produce like Buxton, so it’s a demotion to the team, only good for the short term. The Twins are in a crowded American League playoff picture, currently a game and a half out of a playoff spot. If they stay that close, they can avoid summer sales, but a downturn could make that more likely.
Buxton himself has been in many rumors over the years but should not be expected to be available this summer. He has a full no-trade clause and has repeatedly said he wants to stay in Minnesota, including as recently as last month. Shortly after Buxton made those comments, general manager Jeremy Zoll doubled down that the team had no plans to move him.
Many trade opportunities include hunter-like boys Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Larnach again Joe Ryanalthough it is not a guarantee that any boy in that squad will be removed as long as the club keep their play-off hopes alive.
Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Becker, Imagn Images
