Byron Buxton Lands Back on IL for MN Twins

With the trade deadline just days away, and Chris Paddack having been dealt Monday, the Minnesota Twins late lineup on Tuesday seemed like foreshadowing. There was no trade however, and instead they have lost All-Star centerfielder Byron Buxton to the injured list.

Just over an hour and a half before playing game two of the series against Boston the news was announced. Minnesota walked off the Red Sox Monday night after giving up four runs and trailing 4-3.

With Paddack sent to the Detroit Tigers, the Twins also needed to make a roster move for a new pitcher. It was reported that Pierson Ohl was on his way for a big league debut late in the evening.

Inflammation is Buxton’s latest setback for Minnesota Twins

Byron Buxton made a leaping catch at the wall in the series against Washington over the weekend. He exited the game and underwent an MRI, but it showed just rib cartilage irritation. Unfortunately that hasn’t resolved itself and now he is headed back to the injured list for the second time this season.

#MNTwins news: Byron Buxton is going on the IL.

Ryan Jeffers has been reinstated.

Pierson Ohl has his contract selected.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 29, 2025

The Twins placement of Buxton on the injured list is retroactive to July 27. The hope would be that he misses the minimum and that allows he to be activated on August 6. Ryan Jeffers, who just had a baby, returns from the paternity list to take his place.

It’s unfortunate news for Buxton who has undergone a career’s worth of injuries. Last season was just the second time in 11 big league seasons he has played more than 100 games (102). He wasn’t going to reach the 140 he played in 2017 this year, but could blow by last season’s total with a clean bill of health the rest of the way.

Buck makes these catches look way too easy pic.twitter.com/JJOH8KmWJ0

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 26, 2025

Through 85 games the Twins superstar owns a .282/.343/.561 slash line with 23 home runs. He won’t win the American League MVP over either Aaron Judge or Cal Raliegh, but his 3.9 fWAR should have him in the conversation. He has multi-million dollar contract incentives for finishing in the top ten of voting.

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As a selling team it doesn’t really matter what Buxton provides the team as an individual. He is a competitor though, and it’s logical that he is chasing his own career-best numbers. If he can get back on the field by mid-next week, there is still reason to believe he can achieve them.

Ohl and Jeffers to MN Twins active roster

The move to add Pierson Ohl became official on Tuesday, but he didn’t need to clear a 26-man roster spot with Chris Paddack departing. His capacity on the mound is unknown, but he has worked in a starting and bulk man role.

Jeffers has been fine if not unspectacular this season. He owns a 105 OPS+ with a .254/.346/.399 slash line. The offense hasn’t replicated the 133 OPS+ he posted in 2023, and the defensive remains something of a concern. He currently is the only Twins catcher in the plans for the future though.

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Mickey Gasper was originally called up to replace Jeffers while he was on the paternity list. The utility man did get behind the plate briefly, but will now remain on the roster with Buxton heading to the injured list. He scored the game-tying run on Monday night after being hit by Red Sox reliever Jordan Hicks.