Byron Buxton Begging Twins to Let Him Back in CF
The Minnesota Twins haven’t necessarily been good this season, but at 27-28 entering Wednesday, they haven’t been all that bad either. And the latter portion of that sentence is a bit surprising, considering the basement-style expectations they had entering the season.
Of course, what isn’t surprising is that superstar Byron Buxton has proven to be the team’s best and most reliable player on both offense and defense through 55 games. When healthy, that has always been the case with Minnesota’s former No. 2 overall pick turned superstar.
Buxton currently leads the MN Twins in fWAR (1.9) and is coming off the best season of his career (5.0 fWAR), in that regard. While Byron has remained relatively healthy so far this season, a hip injury has slowed him of late.
MN Twins holding Byron Buxton back from center field duties
It didn’t result in a trip to the injured list but Buxton did sit out for a handful of games, before returning to the lineup, where he has been written in as designated hitter in seven-straight appearances.
As of Wednesday, Byron has played center field just once since his return. Yet again, he’s written in Wednesday as the Minnesota Twins’ DH. That doesn’t mean Buck isn’t trying to get back into the outfield, though.
According to what Buxton told Dan Hayes (The Athletic), the 32-year-old superstar has been begging the organization to let him back into the outfield, but they feel like they have to protect him from himself.
Byron Buxton wants to play center field. He said the #MNTwins are making sure his hip is totally right before they allow him. pic.twitter.com/c0YFFr1HFW
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 27, 2026
Regardless of what Buxton feels, the Twins are going to error on the side of caution, and who could blame them. Over the course of his twelve-year big league career, Buxton has topped 100 games played just three times.
Buxton shouldn’t be in any big hurry to get back
And this season, Buxton has actually been worth -1 DRS (defensive runs saved) in 309 innings out in center field. That trends closely to his final tally of -5 DRS last season. He has also been worth 2 OAA (outs above average) and 2 FRV (fielding run value).
Byron Buxton is currently batting .258/.319/.567 with 16 home runs, but he’s never giving the Twins everything he is worth unless he is healthy and able to run like we know he can.
Related: Royce Lewis Heating Up But Twins Have Moved On
Buxton has ran less this season, stealing just four bases through 46 games after 24 in 126 games a season ago. He still has been able to reach elite sprint speed (29.7 ft/sec), but keeping an aging talent healthy is a must.
Minnesota will be tasked with difficult questions should they fall off as the season goes on. Buxton will be a subject of those. The less they lean into a need to force him out, either for health or otherwise, the better.
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