The Minnesota Twins are placing Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list due to a lingering hip injury, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Buxton was pulled from Monday’s game after tweaking his hip during a third-inning swing.
Despite hopes that rest and a cortisone shot would speed up his recovery, Buxton will miss at least 10 days, though there is no structural damage to his hip. To fill his spot, the Twins will recall infielder Edouard Julien from Triple-A.
Losing Buxton is a significant setback for the Twins, who are vying for a playoff berth. As of Thursday, Minnesota holds the second Wild Card spot but faces stiff competition. Buxton, one of their top hitters, has been crucial this season, hitting .275/.334/.528 with 16 home runs in 90 games. His defense in center field has been stellar, providing the team with the dynamic play they envisioned when drafting him in 2012.
With Buxton sidelined, the Twins will rely on Manuel Margot and Austin Martin in center field, though neither can match Buxton’s offensive or defensive prowess. Margot, in his first season with the Twins, has struggled with an 81 wRC+, while Martin, primarily an infielder, has also underperformed defensively in the outfield.
Standing ovation from the crowd here for this inning-ending Byron Buxton catch.
He was slow to get up, but seemed fine as he jogged off the field — and that's when the ovation got really loud. pic.twitter.com/Is9dZpLDd7
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 4, 2024
Buxton joins Carlos Correa and Brooks Lee on the injured list, and with Royce Lewis’s injury history, Minnesota may face additional setbacks. The Twins can backdate Buxton’s IL stint, meaning he could return as early as next weekend if he only misses the minimum days. Although Minnesota hopes for Buxton’s quick return, they might opt for caution, aiming for him to be back by their September 6 matchup against the Kansas City Royals.
