The Minnesota Twins have faced a season marred by injuries, raising concerns when center fielder Byron Buxton exited Sunday’s game after a dramatic collision with the wall. Fortunately, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic, Buxton avoided any serious injury and was removed from the game purely as a precaution.
The spectacular catch occurred during the Twins’ 13-7 victory over the Chicago White Sox, completing a sweep of the struggling team, which has now lost 18 consecutive games. Gleeman noted that Buxton’s departure was likely planned due to the game’s score.
Buxton, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, has managed to play a full 100 games only once, back in 2017. Despite his injury woes, he remains a significant asset both offensively and defensively. He boasts a career OPS+ of 109 and 129 home runs while maintaining solid defense in center field.
Buh Buh BUXTON AT THE WALL!!!#MNTwins #MLB pic.twitter.com/fz2HbW36Lv
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) August 4, 2024
The Twins have also been dealing with injuries to shortstop Carlos Correa, third baseman Royce Lewis, and starting pitcher Chris Paddack this season. Buxton himself missed 14 games in May due to a knee injury. Despite these setbacks, the Twins are holding a playoff spot.
As of Sunday, the Twins have an 85.3% chance of making the playoffs, according to Fangraphs. They are three games ahead of the Boston Red Sox, who are on the outside looking in. The upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Guardians will be crucial for the Twins. A strong performance could significantly impact their playoff prospects.
Byron Buxton’s health is crucial to the Twins’ playoff chances. They struggled in his absence earlier this season, and losing him again could be detrimental. Manuel Margot, who often fills in for Buxton, has been underperforming this season. With Buxton back, the Twins are better positioned for a playoff push.
