Minnesota Twins All-Star Going on Injured List

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Byron Buxton - Minnesota Twins at Arizona Diamondbacks
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Minnesota Twins are back in town for a pivotal six-game stretch ahead of the All-Star Break, starting with three games against division rival Cleveland that begins tonight. Then, the Los Angeles Angels — currently the worst team in baseball — arrives for the weekend.

Prior to an off-day on Monday, the Twins won their last series over the weekend, in New York against the Yankees. It’s the first time they’ve accomplished such a feat in over a decade (2014).

Unfortunately, in the series finale, they lost Byron Buxton during the top of the first inning, when he re-injured his hip sliding into second base on an unsuccessful steal attempt.

Byron Buxton placed on MN Twins IL

The question during the off day was whether or not to slide Buxton onto the injury list, so he has more time to get healthy during an elongated All-Star break, or was he going to ride out the rest of the first half and start in center field for the Mid-Summer Classic like he was voted?

Tuesday afternoon, we got our answer when Aaron Gleeman (The Athletic) reported that the MN Twins were placing Byron Buxton on the injured list and calling up Alan Roden in his place. Buck will also miss his first career All-Star Game start.

To this point, Byron Buxton has played in 75 of the MN Twins first 91 games this season. Had he not gotten injured, he would be on track to appear in 133 game this season. Buck played in 126 games last year.

As has always been the case with Buxton, he’s an incredible talent when on the field. This season has been no different. Byron is batting .271 with a .904 OPS and 25 home runs. His 2.9 fWAR is threatening to surpass his 5.0 career-high from last season, and he’s currently 8th amongst hitters in the American League.

Minnesota is hoping that Buxton misses only the minimum number of games on the IL. As long as he returns after the All-Star Break, that should be just six.

Meanwhile, Alan Roden is headed to the big leagues for the first time this season, after missing time with a torn labrum in his shoulder earlier this year. Across 33 games for St. Paul, Roden batted .272 with a .909 OPS, eight home runs and a near-even 25/24 K/BB.

Ryan Jeffers not back for MN Twins

Recently Ryan Jeffers joined the St. Paul Saints on a rehab assignment, as he works his way back from surgery to repair a broken hamate bone. Thus far though, he’s only played in three games — and only one where he got innings behind the dish.

Despite going 5-for-11 with a home run, the Minnesota Twins aren’t ready to activate their starting backstop just yet. Prior to injury, Jeffers was batting .295 with a .949 OPS.

Upon his return, not only will he help the Twins win games, but a strong showing would only increase his already impressive value on the upcoming trade market.

In all likelihood, Minnesota will look to move the 29-year-old before the trade deadline. Otherwise, they will lose Jeffers this offseason to free agency.

There is some roster juggling to figure out as well, considering Alex Jackson can’t be sent to Triple-A without clearing waivers. He is batting .300 with a .747 OPS in 19 games since Jeffers got hurt, but he does have a horrendous 15/0 K/BB.

Regardless, if you’re trading the veteran, then keeping Jackson in the organization is a must.

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