Byron Buxton’s Injury Costs Him Time

Byron Buxton’s recent injury is set to sideline him for a while. The Minnesota Twins have placed their star outfielder on the 10-day injured list due to a hip issue, marking an unfortunate shift for the team, which had hoped to avoid this situation.

The 32-year-old has been dealing with right hip impingement for over a week, but at first, team management treated it as a minor issue.

Twins manager Derek Shelton commented on Tuesday, reflecting on Buxton’s treatment earlier this season. “He had some treatment for his hip, and things improved for a bit, but then the symptoms flared up again.” He added, “Considering our schedule and how he felt knowing he would be sidelined for a few days, this may actually be the best outcome for everyone.”

Buxton, who has had his share of injuries, returned on Saturday after missing three games against the Astros and part of the Yankees series, managing a hit and two RBIs. Unfortunately, that comeback only lasted one game.

On Sunday, Buxton aggravated his hip issue while trying to steal second base after getting an infield hit, appearing to grimace after the tag before leaving the game.

This stint on the injured list disrupts what had been one of Buxton’s healthiest and most successful seasons in recent memory. Just named an American League All-Star starter, he had entered the weekend with 25 home runs, right behind Yordan Alvarez and Junior Caminero.

The latest setback adds to a career already marked by injuries. Since making his debut in 2015, Buxton has played over 100 games in only three of his 12 seasons. Last year was a notable exception; he played in 126 games, smashed 35 home runs, and earned his first Silver Slugger award. This season, he participated in 73 of the Twins’ first 85 games before the hip problem surfaced late last month.