Twins Place Byron Buxton on 10-Day IL Due to Rib Injury

Byron Buxton's Injury and the Impact on the Twins

Byron Buxton’s recent injury has shifted the focus from optimism to realism as the month of August approaches. The All-Star center fielder was pulled from Saturday night’s game after reporting pain in his ribs while running. This led to him being placed on the 10-day injured list, allowing the Twins to activate catcher Ryan Jeffers from the paternity list.

The initial diagnosis suggested a minor injury, with tests revealing no structural damage to Buxton’s ribs. However, three days later, he was still too sore to return to the lineup, prompting the team to give him an additional week off to ensure full recovery. The exact cause of the injury remains unclear, though Buxton was seen jumping into the center-field wall during the first inning to catch a deep fly ball by Luis Garcia. He remained in the game for six innings before being removed, and he hasn’t spoken to the media since last Friday.

Buxton is set to become eligible to return from the injured list on August 6, which coincides with the final day of the Twins’ road trip against division rivals Cleveland and Detroit. This isn’t the first time Buxton has missed games in August; in fact, only in 2017, his healthiest season, did he not miss extended time due to injuries. Since 2018, he has appeared in just 47 of the 195 games played in August, and this year, he is certain to miss the first five games of the month.

This latest injury marks the second time Buxton has been sidelined this season. In May, he spent two weeks on the concussion list after colliding with shortstop Carlos Correa in the outfield. Despite these setbacks, this has been one of Buxton’s most successful seasons to date. Entering Tuesday, he ranked third on the Twins in plate appearances, with 23 home runs, 59 RBI, and a .905 OPS—each of which leads the team. His performance earned him a spot in the American League All-Star game earlier this month.

Harrison Bader has taken over Buxton’s position in center field, but this may be a temporary fix given the interest from other teams in trading for Bader before the trade deadline. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and Willi Castro, both with experience in center field, are also options for the Twins.

The decision to place Buxton on the injured list came as a disappointment to the Twins and manager Rocco Baldelli. Earlier, he had expressed hope that the injury wasn’t serious, stating, “It’s a good outcome. We’ll see how he is tomorrow, but to be day-to-day with what he left the game with, it’s a good thing.” Baldelli added that the team would continue to monitor Buxton closely and provide treatment to aid his recovery.

With just two days remaining until the trade deadline, the Twins are navigating a tense period. Pitcher Danny Coulombe described the atmosphere as stressful, noting that the uncertainty affects players’ lives significantly. “It’s impossible not to [think about it]. Your life gets flipped upside down,” Coulombe said. “You’re with a different team, new city, new teammates—plus all the logistical parts for families.”

Coulombe’s $3 million contract expires in November, making a potential trade beneficial for the Twins, who have already saved money by trading Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak. While the prospect of change is exciting, Coulombe admitted, “I can’t wait to get back to just focusing on the job.”

Ryan Jeffers returned to the roster on Tuesday, three days after the birth of his son Hayes. However, manager Baldelli opted to play Christian Vázquez instead, citing the need to respect Jeffers’ time at home. “He told me he wanted to play,” Baldelli said. “Said ‘I’ll be ready to go.’ I said, ‘Thank you.’”