After Byron Buxton’s latest injury, the Minnesota Twins initially hesitated before placing him on the injured list. Although this hip issue isn’t considered serious, dealing with missed time is always tricky with Buxton, who has a history of injuries.
Buxton removed himself from the game on August 12 against the Kansas City Royals due to hip discomfort and was placed on the IL a few days later, retroactive to August 13. Initially, there was hope that he might only miss the minimum time required, but a week later, his return is still uncertain. According to the Twins’ head athletic trainer, Friday remains a possibility for his return, though it’s far from guaranteed.
Updates from Nick Paparesta…
– No timeline on Buxton, who will be evaluated again Thursday. Said he "would never rule [out]" a Friday return.
– Also no timeline on Correa, who is still feeling discomfort but a bit better while running today. Still a pain management situation.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 21, 2024
While it’s encouraging that a return on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals hasn’t been ruled out, the lack of a clear timeline is concerning, especially since Buxton has dealt with hip issues in the past, which were linked to his previous knee injuries. The Twins’ trainer provided an update, noting that Buxton has been making progress, hitting in the cage, throwing, and doing outfield work, but a final decision will be made after further assessment.
Byron Buxton – Minnesota Twins (16)
pic.twitter.com/hMttFxpfhJ— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) August 11, 2024
Buxton’s return would be a significant boost for the Twins, both offensively and defensively, as they continue their postseason push. Despite his injury history, Buxton has managed to stay relatively healthy this season and has been a key contributor to the team’s success. Since June 7th, he has been on a tear, posting an impressive .325/.388/.675 slash line with 15 doubles and 13 home runs over a 46-game stretch. With the Twins still in contention and aiming to catch the Cleveland Guardians, getting Buxton back on the field as soon as possible would be a major advantage.
