Twins outfielder Byron Buxton has been coping with a hip damage in latest days. Per Dan Hayes of The Athletic on X, there’s no structural injury however the membership goes to position him on the 10-day injured record anyway. Hayes provides that infielder Edouard Julien is on his method to be a part of the staff, presumably because the corresponding transfer.
Buxton hasn’t performed for Minnesota since Monday. He departed that sport with proper hip discomfort. He was despatched for an MRI but it surely got here again clear, per Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic on X. Nonetheless, he has been saved out of the lineup on account of ongoing discomfort and the membership has been contemplating an IL stint simply to keep away from enjoying a person quick, which is able to seemingly come to move immediately.
It’s a reasonably logical resolution to make. The membership is in a good playoff race, at the moment holding the second Wild Card spot within the American League however with the Royals, Purple Sox and Mariners all pretty shut behind. Since Buxton has already missed just a few days, his IL placement may be backdated, which means he might theoretically be again by subsequent weekend if he heals up between from time to time. Fairly than play shorthanded for just a few days, the membership can get reinforcements whereas giving Buxton a breather.
Buxton’s well being has been an ongoing subject all through his profession, so it is sensible to play issues on the cautious aspect. Though that is his tenth main league season, he has solely as soon as performed greater than 92 video games in any particular person marketing campaign on account of varied maladies. Final yr, the membership restricted him to designated hitter duties solely, however he nonetheless solely received into 85 contests.
The knee points that plagued him final yr appear to be much less of a difficulty this season. He did miss a few weeks in Might with proper knee irritation however has in any other case been within the lineup. He has appeared in 90 video games to this point this yr, taking his customary middle area place in 82 of these. He’s additionally been extremely impactful, as he’s hit 16 dwelling runs and is slashing .275/.334/.528 for a 140 wRC+. He’s additionally swiped six luggage and has obtained robust grades for his glovework, main FanGraphs to credit score him with 3.2 wins above substitute on the yr.
Shedding that manufacturing for some time will clearly be lower than splendid for the Twins within the quick time period, however it is going to be value it in the long run if Buxton can heal up and be again in kind for the playoff race and the postseason itself.
Till then, the membership will possible be utilizing Manuel Margot and Austin Martin to cowl middle, with Max Kepler, Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner additionally within the outfield/designated hitter combine. Martin has additionally been enjoying some second base this yr, so Julien will give them an additional choice there whereas Martin spends extra time on the grass. Kyle Farmer can be available as a glove-first choice on the keystone, in comparison with Julien’s extra bat-first profile. With Carlos Correa and Brooks Lee additionally on the IL, Willi Castro is overlaying shortstop day by day as Royce Lewis and José Miranda share third base and DH duties.