Byron Buxton, Twins Leadership To Discuss His Future


Here we go again. Out since Aug. 1st, the oft-injured Byron Buxton has had his rehab stint shut down, and will be meeting with the Minnesota Twins brass "to discuss his health and future." Now, that sounds ominous, doesn't it?  

Buxton played only two games at Triple-A St. Paul before the patella tendinitis flared up in his right knee once again. One of those two games was in center field—the first time he's played the field at all this season after DHing in the 85 games he's been able to participate in with the Twins this year. 

The meeting is supposedly to discuss this latest setback with his knee, and what the next steps are to possibly, somehow, get Buxton back into the lineup as the Twins ready themselves for their first postseason appearance in three years. 

The nine-year veteran, who has played more than 92 games only once in a season in his nine-year career, seems destined to not be able to top that total once again in 2023. 

It was a hamstring strain that landed Buxton on the IL at the beginning of August, but it's his troublesome knee that continues to give him problems. He had season-ending surgery on the joint last year. 

Buxton, 29, signed a 7-year, $100M contract with Minnesota in late 2021, and then made his first All-Star team in '22 while playing in that career-high 92 games. 2023 is a down year at the plate for him, however, on and off the field, hitting .207 with an OPS+ just under league average, at 98. 

Photo: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports