Story by
Report Suggests Buxton Could Hit IL; Twins Social Media Hints Otherwise
- Story by
- Report Suggests Buxton Could Hit IL; Twins Social Media Hints Otherwise
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Tom Pohlad reportedly wants the Minnesota Twins to be buyers at the upcoming MLB trade deadline. And most national headlines involving the Twins, over the next month, will absolutely involve the organization's plans for August 3.
Advertisement
But in order for Tom to pay off his preseason promise, his team needs to win as many or more games as it loses over the next four weeks… which will be difficult if superstar center fielder Byron Buxton is not on the field.
Unfortunately, the 32-year-old All-Star was removed from Sunday's win at Yankee Stadium, when he re-aggravated a hip injury trying to steal second base in the first inning.
Related Headlines
Byron Buxton about to hit the injured list?
And on Monday, the outlook didn't appear promising when Dan Hayes (The Athletic) suggested the Twins may place Buxton on the injured list pre All-Star Game, out of precaution.
While Buxton will undoubtedly want to play with the Cleveland Guardians in town starting Tuesday, the team should at least consider placing him on the IL ahead of the final six games before the All-Star break to give him a 12-day window to rest and treat a hip that's bugged him routinely the past five seasons.
Related: Rosenthal Buying MN Twins' Deadline Plans… with One Major Caveat
Advertisement
As Hayes notes, a trip to the injured list would, in theory, allow Buck to get healthy for the next two weeks, before rejoining the roster at (near) 100% for some time back in the lineup prior to trade deadline conversations getting serious.
However, going on the IL would mean skipping the All-Star Game.
Doing so would eliminate Buxton from playing in the All-Star Game, which would be unfortunate. But Buxton has already suggested he's not going to participate in the Home Run Derby after doing it last year, in part because of the hip soreness he's dealt with for nearly two months.
I do not doubt Hayes' sources, and I wouldn't be surprised if the MN Twins indeed would prefer that Buxton get healthy instead of playing out the rest of the first half, then traveling to San Francisco to perform his All-Star duties.
With that said, I do wonder if Buxton would really pull out of the first All-Star start of his career, especially knowing how important playing for Team USA in the WBC was to him.
Advertisement
Minnesota Twins laying down Buxton hints on social media?
Meanwhile, the MN Twins are on an off day Monday, before returning to play for a home series against the AL Central rival Cleveland Guardians Tuesday. It's a crucial series because the Guardians come in just 1.5 games up in the division.
But will Byron Buxton be part of the festivities?
Well, this afternoon the Minnesota Twins social media account released a hype video for the upcoming series against Cleveland. Not only does the video begin with 25 straight seconds of Byron Buxton highlights vs the Guardians, but he takes up total of 40 seconds in the first minute.
The rivalry continues this week.
BE HERE: https://t.co/DSUBpte5A8 pic.twitter.com/3npcjuir5r— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 6, 2026
Related: MN Twins Trade for Pitcher with Assignment Clause
Advertisement
Think they are hinting at anything? Maybe I am just a conspiracy theorist but I find it extremely hard to believe they'd feature Buxton in a hype video like this if he is about to go on the injured list. If so, then this organization is even less self-aware than I realized.
Related Headlines
