Byron Buxton was removed from yesterday’s game due to right knee tightness, and he wasn’t in the Twins’ lineup today. While Buxton’s health history makes any injury seem like a red flag, manager Rocco Baldelli didn’t think the issue was particularly serious, and thought Buxton’s knee might have just been sore from a number of recent plays on the basepaths. “It’s just by chance that there’s been this many plays that he’s had to go hard on in a very short period of time. It kind of popped up, I think, because of all the running,” Baldelli told MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park and other reporters.
Buxton underwent arthroscopic surgery on that same right knee back in September, and as part of the Twins’ desire to keep their star healthy, Buxton has played exclusively as a designated hitter this season. While keeping a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder in a DH role may seem like a waste of resources, it’s hard to argue with results, as Buxton has been hitting well (.235/.344/.484 with nine home runs in 180 plate appearances) and has avoided the injured list to date. Ironically, Buxton has been a source of stability on a Twins team that has been beset with several other injuries, and his bat has been a bright spot in an inconsistent lineup.
More from the AL Central…
- Sticking with the Twins, Jorge Alcala was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier this week, and head trainer Nick Paparesta gave Park and company some more information on the right-hander’s status. Alcala has a stress fracture to the radius bone in his right forearm, which Paparesta described as “more of a chronic, ongoing condition and again, nothing to do with his previous elbow surgery.” Due to the rather unique nature of the injury, it isn’t known exactly how long Alcala might be out, and the Twins will re-evalate him after a shutdown of 10-14 days. Elbow problems and an arthroscopic debridement surgery limited Alcala to just 2 1/3 innings in 2022, and he had posted only a 6.46 ERA over 15 1/3 innings out of Minnesota’s bullpen this season.
- Hanser Alberto left today’s game with what the White Sox described as left shoulder soreness. After dropping a sacrifice bunt, Alberto appeared to hurt his shoulder while making a “safe” sign after a very close play at first base. Alberto is day to day with the injury, and manager Pedro Grifol told The Athletic’s James Fegan and other reporters that the infielder could be able to avoid the 10-day injured list. There isn’t much time for Alberto to rest or for the Sox to play with an undermanned roster, since the White Sox are six games into a stretch of 19 games in 19 days.
- The Guardians will call up Hunter Gaddis for a start on Monday, according to The Athletic’s Zack Meisel (via Twitter). A fresh starter was needed when Peyton Battenfield was placed on the 15-day IL on Friday, so the Guards will turn to Gaddis for at least one outing, though an off-day on Thursday could allow them to reset the rotation. Gaddis made his MLB debut last season and made four starts this season while Triston McKenzie has been sidelined with injury, but the results haven’t yet been there at the big league level. The 25-year-old righty has a 6.86 ERA over 19 2/3 innings this season, with a minuscule 14.6% strikeout rate.
.235 is hitting well? Did we lower the bar for the purposes of this article, or is league average BA now the worst in the history of the game?
normally i think im getting old and falling apart, but buxton makes me feel good about my body
U also don’t require explosive energy every single day or crashing into walls what’s your point ?
He stated his point, “buxton makes me feel good about my body”. Reading isn’t that hard.
“Crashing into walls”
Buxton hasn’t played a single inning in the field this year
Who u guys think would win in a foot race;
Cripple DH Buxton?
Or
EricTheBat?
Who?
Buxton unless he gets injured while running. So it’s 50/50
Lol
I’m very sympathetic towards the injury prone, but “all that running” did make me laugh.
My Royals are so pathetic they don’t even get mentioned in AL Central updates.
Why am I not surprised that a White Sox player gets hurt by making a ‘safe’ sign?
Buxton is hurt, that’s why he isn’t playing center. It’s obvious every game he can’t run the same and he limps a lot. I know the Twins keep saying it’s not an injury but anyone who watches them play can clearly see he’s playing through the same knee injury as last season. It’s just not as extreme yet.
I wouldn’t characterize Buxton’s BA of .235 as being:
“his bat has been a bright spot in an inconsistent lineup”
AND
“it’s hard to argue with results, as Buxton has been hitting well”
AND
“as part of the Twins’ desire to keep their star healthy, Buxton has played exclusively as a designated hitter this season”
If anything the team’s coddling of their big buck player has handcuffed both the team’s on field performance and the moves available to the manager. While DHing Buxton, the Twins’ outfield has been manned by Michael Taylor, Willi Castro, Nick Gordon, Trevor Larnach, Joey Gallo, Max Kepler., Kyle Garlick, etc.
It is only by a recent offensive “burst” that Buxton isn’t at the Mendoza line.
That’s why they’re the WAMT
Kind of crazy that as a DH the injury bug hits still. I am glad they are getting him more at bats though and he is a difference maker on this team even when not using his elite CF skills.
Hoping we can keep Royce Lewis in the field when he returns. I am excited to see what he can do and hopefully he doesn’t also need DH duties.
Sorry you were forced to run,Byron.
We all know how physically demanding DH is, especially with a .304 OBP.
It’s sad to see arguably MLB’s finest defender relegated to DH.
it’s absurd that our players are still getting injured running the bases in 2023. it’s about time major league baseball institutes a designated runner rule.
Lewis will get his chance, when he is physically ready, when the team bites the bullet and benches the team’s other big buck star, Correa and his pathetic .206 BA..
Buxton had Arthroscopic Knee Surgery:
How long does it take to recover??
You will probably need about 6 weeks to recover. If your doctor repaired damaged tissue, recovery will take longer. You may have to limit your activity until your knee strength and movement are back to normal. You may also be in a physical rehabilitation (rehab) program.
Is it a MAJOR surgery?
It’s a minor surgery and is done on an outpatient basis, which means you can go home the same day. Your doctor may recommend it if you have inflammation in a joint, have injured a joint, or have damaged a joint over time. You can have arthroscopy on any joint.
The risks and complications associated with arthroscopic knee surgery include infection, nerve damage, blood clots, persistent swelling and stiffness, heart attack, and stroke.
Possibly we have seen the last of Buxton in Center Field ???
Just to stir the pot: Another great outfielder, Harold Baines, was done defensively at the age of 29. Harold, however questionably, is in the Hall Of Fame. Buxton is now nothing more than a watered down Harold Baines, at best. It is an unfortunate story. Baseball is a very hard game, especially at the professional level. Buxton could have been one of the greats. But now he is only a 2/3 Harold Baines, which still ain’t bad, but what coulda been….
AND Tony Oliva….
Who knows what he could have accomplished but for knee injuries.
Great post
Dang. Byron Buxton WAS an astounding athlete, a lot like Bo Jackson. Insane speed. Big-time power. Buxton was a better outfielder by far, but they both had incredible arm strength.
Just sad, really