Byron Buxton Eligible, but Not Ready to Return for Twins

The Minnesota Twins waited until the last possible moment to put Byron Buxton on the injured list. Despite the centerfielder not traveling with the team to Texas, there was optimism he could play. That optimism was overemphasized, and now looks to be unfounded with the latest updated.

Byron Buxton misses more than the minimum for Minnesota Twins

Byron Buxton has been hurt a substantial amount over the course of his Major League Baseball career. The injury history is why the franchise was able to sign such an impressive player to a seven-year deal worth just $100 million. At this point Twins fans are aware that his body will need time to recover. It doesn’t seem like the franchise has that reality dialed in though.

Byron Buxton (hip) is eligible to come off the injured list, but said he still feels it "a little bit" running.

"My swing feels fine. Defense and throwing, all that feels fine. Just getting over the hurdle of running and run the bases."

He hopes to return without a rehab stint.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 23, 2024

Earlier in the week athletic trainer Nick Paparesta floated the idea that Buxton could be activated on Friday (when he was first eligible). That seemed odd given a relative lack of updates regarding his health. Of course that didn’t happen, and the murky timeline remains.

It has been well-documented over the course of his career that Buxton is not a fan of rehab assignments. He would certainly appreciate avoiding one, but the longer this linger, the greater the absence matters. After dealing with significant hip issues in 2021 and 2022, thinking this was going to be a 10-day issue appeared misguided by Minnesota.

Related: Shocker: Latest Update on Byron Buxton’s Injury is Confusing

It’s great that the Twins look to be optimistic when it comes to the health of their players. It doesn’t do any good for the player, fan perception, or aptitude of the training staff when they continue to be overzealous however.

Twins need the best of Byron Buxton back

It would be more than understandable if Byron Buxton wanted to rush back to action. He owns a 1.063 OPS across his last 46 games, and left a team in the thick of a division hunt. The Guardians need to be chased down, and Minnesota is still surging towards the top of baseball. Minnesota also put him in a bad spot with the original suggestion about missing the minimum.

Byron Buxton on staying patient:

"They reiterate that to me. Don't try to do anything crazy. We are where we are in the season and there's no place I'd rather be than playing. But it's also not trying to go out there too quick and have another setback."https://t.co/el2azwOApH

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 23, 2024

Rocco Baldelli knows what Buxton has been through though, and his lineup needs him when it matters most. Buxton rushing back for a game or two in August would be horrible if it ends his season in September. The Twins need the best of Buxton, and they have gotten that for the vast majority of this season.

Knee and hip injuries are probably going to be a mainstay for the outfielder over the rest of his career. That was baked into the contract, and is reflected by how the roster is shaped each season. Still, putting aggressive timelines on his returns when they are unlikely does no good.

Rocco Baldelli didn't have much of an update on Carlos Correa (heel), saying only that he's "making steady improvement."

"Moving around OK. We want to make sure that when we bring these guys back, that they're ready to go, ready to play."

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 23, 2024

Minnesota needs to get Carlos Correa back too. He has been missing from the lineup as he deals with plantar fasciitis for a second season. A shoe problem got in his way, but he’s going to have to play through the pain.

Related: MLB Expert Believes This is the Minnesota Twins Greatest Asset, Come October

If the Twins can get their lineup right, and healthy, they’ll be a force in October.