The Minnesota Twins have placed center fielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list due to inflammation in his problematic right knee. They are cautiously optimistic about the duration of his absence. Buxton exited Wednesday’s game in Chicago early due to soreness in his knee, which has previously undergone surgery and restricted him to the designated hitter role last season. The discomfort flared up during his third attempt to steal second base, forcing him to halt due to the pain after two unsuccessful tries.
Derek Falvey, the president of baseball operations, emphasized the importance of proactive management due to Buxton’s lingering tenderness and tightness, aiming to prevent recurring issues throughout the season.
Buxton has recorded a .250 batting average with eight doubles, one triple, one home run, 12 runs, and 11 RBIs in 28 games this season. The Twins have called up Austin Martin from Triple-A St. Paul to fill his roster spot, while Willi Castro took over center field duties for the series opener against Boston.
Throughout his ten-year career in the majors, Buxton has rarely played more than 92 games. This season, the 30-year-old has primarily been in center field for 20 of Minnesota’s first 30 games and served as the designated hitter in four others, with four additional appearances as a substitute.
The decision to place Buxton on the injured list was retroactively applied to Thursday. Both Falvey and manager Rocco Baldelli expressed hope that Buxton would be available to return by May 12 or shortly after, following an MRI scan that revealed no structural damage to his knee. Baldelli noted Buxton’s commitment but acknowledged that during the last game, he reached a point where he couldn’t deny the extent of his discomfort any longer.
Royce Lewis’s recovery is progressing positively
Meanwhile, third baseman Royce Lewis’s recovery is progressing positively, with Falvey confirming that he has resumed batting practice, running at 70% speed, and light field work. However, Lewis remains cautious due to his history of injuries, including two ACL tears and subsequent knee surgeries, which have limited his major league appearances to just 71 games.
Lewis, the first overall pick in the 2017 amateur draft, expressed his ongoing concern despite positive medical updates, highlighting the emotional toll of his injury-plagued career. Lewis highlighted the mental toll of his current recovery, stating, “Unless I can confidently say I’m ready to play, it all feels negative. That’s where I’m at.” He remarked that compared to his ACL surgeries, this rehabilitation process has been tougher mentally.
“The most challenging part is not having a clear timeline,” Lewis added. “I trust my body to heal quickly. If I’m feeling this good now, I can’t imagine how I’ll feel in another two weeks or so. Hopefully, it’ll be sooner.”
Recognizing that the muscle is still reattaching, Lewis understands the caution the Twins are exercising in his rehabilitation. “I just miss playing the game. I’d give anything to be out there every day, just like when I was a kid,” he expressed.
The Twins encountered another setback with key reliever Brock Stewart, who landed on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder tendinitis on Friday.
In his place, left-hander Kody Funderburk was called up from St. Paul. Additionally, right-hander Jorge Alcala was summoned for bullpen duty earlier in the day, while right-hander Caleb Boushley was sent down without making an appearance.
