Twins outfielder Byron Buxton has been coping with a hip damage in current days. Per Dan Hayes of The Athletic on X, there’s no structural injury, however the membership goes to position him on the 10-day injured checklist anyway. Hayes provides that infielder Edouard Julien is on his solution to be a part of the crew, presumably because the corresponding transfer.
Buxton hasn’t performed for Minnesota since Monday. He departed that sport with proper hip discomfort. He was despatched for an MRI nevertheless it got here again clear, per Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic on X. Nonetheless, he has been stored out of the lineup as a result of ongoing discomfort and the membership has been contemplating an IL stint simply to keep away from taking part in a person brief, which is able to seemingly come to cross in the present day.
It’s a reasonably logical resolution to make. The membership is in a good playoff race, presently holding the second wild-card spot within the American League, however with the Royals, Purple Sox and Mariners all pretty shut behind. Since Buxton has already missed a couple of days, his IL placement may be backdated, which means he might theoretically be again by subsequent weekend if he heals up between every now and then. Relatively than play shorthanded for a couple of days, the membership can get reinforcements whereas giving Buxton a breather.
Buxton’s well being has been an ongoing difficulty all through his profession, so it is sensible to play issues on the cautious aspect. Though that is his tenth main league season, he has solely as soon as performed greater than 92 video games in any particular person marketing campaign as a result of varied maladies. Final 12 months, the membership restricted him to designated hitter duties completely, however he nonetheless solely received into 85 contests.
The knee points that plagued him final 12 months appear to be much less of a problem this season. He did miss a few weeks in Might with proper knee irritation, however has in any other case been within the lineup. He has appeared in 90 video games thus far this 12 months, taking his customary heart discipline place in 82 of these. He’s additionally been extremely impactful as he’s hit 16 residence runs and is slashing .275/.334/.528 for a 140 wRC+. He’s additionally swiped six luggage and has obtained sturdy grades for his glovework, main FanGraphs to credit score him with 3.2 wins above alternative on the 12 months.
Shedding that manufacturing for some time will clearly be lower than best for the Twins within the brief time period, however it will likely be value it in the long run if Buxton can heal up and be again in type for the playoff race and the postseason itself.
Till then, the membership will possible be utilizing Manuel Margot and Austin Martin to cowl heart, with Max Kepler, Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner additionally within the outfield/designated hitter combine. Martin has additionally been taking part in some second base this 12 months, so Julien will give them an additional choice there whereas Martin spends extra time on the grass. Kyle Farmer can be available as a glove-first choice on the keystone in comparison with Julien’s extra bat-first profile. With Carlos Correa and Brooks Lee additionally on the IL, Willi Castro is overlaying shortstop each day as Royce Lewis and Jose Miranda share third base and DH duties.
