Byron Buxton Return Timeline Updated…

The Minnesota Twins are in the midst of a 10-game road trip that spans both coasts. They wrapped up a three-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. Now, they get a day off while they fly across the country for three games against the Seattle Mariners, starting Friday.

Monday, they go to Sacramento for four against the MLB orphan Athletics, who are currently playing their home games in Sacramento. At 30-25 the Twins are suddenly one of the better teams in the American League. If the season ended today, they’d even be a playoff team.

The Minnesota Twins have a 13-game winning streak to thank for bringing them back to AL Central relevance, and they have Byron Buxton to thank for that unbelievable two-week run. Just like we’ve seen since the moment he made his way to the big leagues, the Twins go as Buxton does.

Through 41 games this season, Buxton owns a .261/.312/.522 slash line with five doubles, three triples, and ten home runs and a 834 OPS, putting the 31-year-old former No. 2 overall draft pick on one of the best seasons of his career.

Minnesota Twins expecting Byron Buxton back vs Seattle

Unfortunately, Buck’s incredible season came to a screeching halt when he and Carlos Correa collided in shallow center field a couple of weeks ago. After spending the mandatory seven days on the MLB concussion list, Correa was immediately activated. Not so much for Byron… but that is about to change.

Byron Buxton did not play in Tampa, but he didn’t go along on their current road trip just for moral support. He continues to progress through Major League Baseball’s concussion protocol, and according to Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune), he’s expected back on Friday vs the Mariners.

Byron Buxton taking on-field BP before today’s game in Tampa. If he continues to progress well, he could rejoin the roster for the upcoming series in Seattle. pic.twitter.com/Hv7Apc63xT

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) May 28, 2025

Buxton was placed on the injured list retroactive to May 16. That means he has missed 12 days and — should he make his return Friday — will ultimately miss 11 games since suffering his latest concussion. Unlike Correa, Buxton has a history of concussions, which has slowed his recovery process and added to the hoops he must jump through to be cleared.

Incredibly, Byron Buxton still leads the team with 1.9 fWAR. Prior to his collision with Correa, Buxton had remained healthy all season, while playing Gold Glove caliber center field. The Minnesota Twins were shutout on getaway day vs the Rays, cementing their total runs during the three-game series at FOUR. Without a doubt, getting their best offensive player back in the lineup will help those offensive efforts.

Matt Wallner could be back for MN Twins too

It’s not just Byron Buxton that could return for the Minnesota Twins on Friday, however. Matt Wallner has been on the shelf since mid-April with a hamstring strain. He too is expected to join the team when they fly to Seattle. Wallner has crushed Triple-A pitching, during his rehab assignment, something he was doing vs MLB pitchers, prior to his injury.

The Forest Lake native has played four rehab games with the Saints, going 6-for-16 with three home runs. To suggest the bat is ready would be putting it lightly. Minnesota wants to make sure his hamstring is ready to go, and the final test is a back-to-back appearance in the outfield.

This is one way to start off the night. @Matt_Wallner with an absolute blast to right. His third homer of the season and this one off former #MNTwins John Gant. No statcast data, but we estimate this home run at roughly at 625 feet, give or take one or two feet. pic.twitter.com/VMYfoZ7RwF

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) May 27, 2025

If that goes well, then Wallner will rejoin the Twins on their current road trip as well. A Wallner and Buxton activation requires two roster moves. Carson McCusker, who grabbed his first major league hit against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, was optioned following the game. A second spot would likely require DaShawn Keirsey Jr. being sent to Triple-A.

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Keirsey Jr. has batted a putrid .115/.143/.164 across 43 games this season. He’s an exceptional defender and brings a speed threat to the table. Still, there’s no reason to lose someone like Jonah Bride (who is out of options) for Keirsey Jr. while he is going like that.

Minnesota could be at their cleanest bill of health offensively by this weekend. For a team needing offense, that’s a great reality to experience.