Minnesota Twins Appear Concerned About Byron Buxton’s Latest Injury

The Minnesota Twins pulled off an emphatic win against the Kansas City Royals on Monday night. They did so despite Byron Buxton exiting the game after a strikeout. With a litany of injuries to his credit, the latest one isn’t bringing the warm fuzzies.

Byron Buxton hip injury isn’t new for Minnesota Twins

Byron Buxton stepped in after going 0-for-2 through his first two at bats, and he struck out in his third. After that fifth inning strikeout, it was Manuel Margot who emerged to patrol centerfield. The Minnesota Twins announced that their star outfielder had left with right hip discomfort. The Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale talked with manager Rocco Baldelli postgame.

“I think it was probably the first swing of the [third inning] at-bat where he felt it. He normally doesn’t pull himself out of a game immediately, even when something is bothering him. He stayed in for a little while and he made the decision. He knew he had to come out of the game. We’re going to see how he feels over the next day or two. We’ll see.”

Rocco Baldelli on Byron Buxton’s injury

A hip injury isn’t new for Buxton as he missed time for related maladies in both 2021 and 2022. The hip directly correlates with his knee issues, and their functions often coincide with one another. The Twins are certainly hoping that this doesn’t present an extended absence.

Related: Byron Buxton Speaks Candidly About Chronic Knee Injury

Minnesota Twins have been lucky with Byron Buxton in 2024

Byron Buxton has played 90 games for the Twins this season. That is just shy of his second highest career total. Buxton has twice played 92 games (2022 & 2016), with his 140 games in 2017 being a high-water mark. Knee discomfort kept Buxton out of the Minnesota Twins lineup from May 2nd through the 17th this season. Otherwise he has otherwise remained healthy.

Hopefully it's precautionary given the lopsided score, but Byron Buxton is out of the game after crashing into the wall making this amazing catch. pic.twitter.com/bqrxBxzs1x

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 4, 2024

After crashing into the wall last week, Buxton sat through a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs. His 3.2 fWAR is still second-highest on the team, trailing only Carlos Correa. Minnesota cannot afford to have two of their stars on the injured list down the stretch as they attempt to catch the Cleveland Guardians. As mentioned by Baldelli, the Twins will monitor the situation over the next couple of days, and hopefully Buxton can be back in the lineup soon.

There have been very few occurrences, that span any substantial stretch of time, where Buxton, Correa, and Royce Lewis have shared the lineup in 2024.

Related: Twins, Carlos Correa Clearly Learned a Valuable Lesson Last Season