Latest on Byron Buxton After Crash with CF Wall

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Jun 5, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) catches a fly ball hit by Kansas City Royals designated hitter Carter Jensen (22) and is injured on the play in the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

After two-straight losses, the Minnesota Twins got back in the win column on Friday night at Target Field against the Kansas City Royals, a 5-3 victory that was rife with spectacular defensive plays on both sides, from start to finish.

Austin Martin gunned down two Royals base-runners at the plate, KC second baseman Michael Massey made a couple incredible plays and, to begin the top of the 3rd inning, Byron Buxton crashed into the center field wall in order to save an extra base against starter Zebby Matthews.

It took awhile for Minnesota’s superstar center fielder to get up. Eventually he did, though, and even finished out the final two outs of the Royals’ third inning.

Byron Buxton pulled from Twins win vs Royals

Unfortunately, when he went back to the dugout, Buxton reported pain in his right shoulder to manager Derek Shelton, who immediately removed his best player from the lineup and replaced him with Tristan Gray.

Gray responded with two hits and the MN Twins were able to rally to victory against their down and out AL Central rival, thanks to another big offensive day from Brooks Lee, who hit this home run in the bottom of the 6th, driving in two runs to give the home team a lead their defense refused to surrender.

Related: MN Twins Pitcher Blames Injury on Bad Baseballs

However, Buxton’s early departure loomed large afterward. When Shelton gave his standard postgame injury updates, he reported Byron’s injury as a right shoulder contusion. That’s the same shoulder he injured earlier this season, which concerned the Twins manager.

MN Twins praying for good news this morning

Byron wanted to hit, but Shelton — out of caution — pulled him instead. The Twins are not planning an MRI for Buck just yet, but will re-evaluate that approach when everyone arrives at Target Field this morning. Shelton did add that the 31-year-old outfielder is highly doubtful to play Sunday afternoon — a 1:10 PM first pitch.

“I was concerned about it because he ran into it full speed, hard. He was shook up a little bit. When he came in and he said he hit that shoulder, the same shoulder that he had the issue with — he wanted to hit and I was like, ‘Nah, there’s no chance if you’re feeling it in the same spot.’ “

Derek Shelton on taking Byron Buxton out of game vs Royals (via Star Tribune)

Zebby Matthews was able to recover from a difficult start, where he allowed two runs in the first inning, to go seven, which the bullpen needed desperately. The 26-year-old righty was good for most of the night too, with a little help from his friends on defense.

When the dust settled, Zebby battled his way through an up-and-down night where he allowed a total of just 2 runs on 5 hits, which was huge since he only struckout 2 Royals hitters, while walking 4 (eww).

Related: Young MN Twins Starter Nearing Return… and Throwing Gas

The Minnesota Twins enter Saturday’s 1:10 PM first pitch with Joe Ryan on the mound and a really good chance to take two of their first three games this weekend against Kansas City.

But No. 1 on the priority list for the team and fans alike, is the health of Byron Buxton — who is hitting .257 with a .867 OPS built off 28 RBI and 18 homers (top five in MLB), to go with 41 runs scored and a 1.9 bWAR.

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