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Byron Buxton Hurt Too; Twins Unsure of Severity
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- Byron Buxton Hurt Too; Twins Unsure of Severity
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Minnesota Twins are in Houston to start the week and they don't have Anthony Banda in the bullpen. Unfortunately one of their best relievers was placed on the injured list pregame.
Injuries have become synonymous with Derek Shelton's club this year, and that's why any regular out of the lineup is cause for concern. Rather than play Byron Buxton after he was available on Sunday, there is more to the situation.
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Ryan Kreidler drew the start in centerfield , and Tristan Gray backfilled the shortstop position where he has been making a home. How long this stays the case remains a mystery.
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Minnesota Twins waiting on Byron Buxton update
When Byron Buxton wasn't in the lineup for Shelton on Monday night against Houston , it sparked some Spidey Senses . Of course, that was the right thing to think, especially coming off a game where he operated as the designated hitter. Matthew Leach (MLB.com) provided the necessary context.
A hip injury is not new for Byron Buxton. He has been nagged by them significantly over the course of his career and missed five games earlier this season due to the same issue. This season he has played in 73 of a possible 86 games, and 54 starts have come in center field.
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Essentially, if Buxton isn't in center field out of the blue, you should probably have some questions.
Of course the MN Twins need him out there too. Not only is he the leading candidate to start at the position in the All-Star Game, but he's batting .268 with an .898 OPS this year. His 25 home runs lead the league, and trail only Kyle Schwarber across all of baseball. After an MVP vote-getting season last year, he's been better this time around.
MN Twins outfield in flux without Buxton
It's pretty obvious to say the Minnesota Twins are worse-off without Byron Buxton in their outfield. How they manage it in the short and long-term will be interesting. Ryan Kreidler is a plus-defender, but his best position is shortstop, and they are downgrading two positions by starting Tristan Gray on the dirt ( -7 DRS, -7 OAA ).
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Called up a couple of weeks ago, Kyler Fedko is a natural fit at all three outfield spots and has played plenty of center field. Whether it's that Shelton wants to spare him from facing right-handers, or just needs to see more from the kid, he has 13 plate appearances in nine total games.
Ryan Kreidler gives the @Twins the lead! pic.twitter.com/TciGXnqgel
— MLB (@MLB) June 28, 2026
If Fedko isn't going to be the answer, Kriedler's bat has earned him favor with the team. He can play plus-defense almost anywhere, and he's batting .290 with an .892 OPS across 104 plat appearances this season. That has earned him additional time, and made him a part of the immediate plans.
Still, Kriedler on the dirt and someone else filling in for Buxton seems like a better usage of roster manipulation. If Fedko isn't that, then maybe Walker Jenkins will be should the superstar be out for an extended period.
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