The Minnesota Twins secured an 8-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday, but the victory was overshadowed by a worrying moment involving star outfielder Byron Buxton. In the fifth inning, Buxton experienced discomfort in his hip, forcing him to leave the game. The team’s medical staff quickly assessed his condition, and as a precaution, Buxton was held out of Tuesday’s lineup against the Royals while he underwent an MRI. Fortunately, the MRI results were clean, and the Twins have listed him as day-to-day.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli provided an update on Buxton’s status on Tuesday.
“He’s consulting with the doctors today to discuss everything,” Baldelli told the media. “Right now, he’s day-to-day. We’ll monitor how he feels this afternoon and tomorrow, and we’ll proceed based on that.”
This incident has raised concerns within the Twins organization, given Buxton’s history of injuries.
Derek Falvey, the Twins’ president of baseball operations, also weighed in on the situation.
“We’re aware of the injury struggles Byron has faced over the years,” Falvey shared during an appearance on MLB Network’s High Heat. “Earlier this season, we gave him some rest to help him recover fully, and he’s learned to manage these challenges throughout the season. He had a bit of an issue last night, so we’re closely monitoring his progress today.”
Before this latest setback, Buxton had been enjoying a remarkable comeback season, hitting 16 home runs in 90 games with a .275 batting average. This season also marks one of the most consistent in terms of games played for Buxton, who has appeared in the third-most games of his MLB career.
With a 13-3 victory over the Royals on Tuesday, the Twins improved to 67-52, holding second place in the American League Central. They trail the division-leading Cleveland Guardians, who boast a 71-49 record. As the Twins continue their push for a postseason berth, keeping key players like Buxton healthy is crucial.
Looking ahead, the Twins must secure wins in key matchups against division rivals, particularly the Cleveland Guardians, who are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in the league. Fans should mark their calendars for the Twins’ late-September series against the Guardians, which could be pivotal in determining the AL Central champion. How the Twins perform in these critical games will also reveal how they measure up against potential playoff.
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