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The Minnesota Twins continue receiving superstar-level production from Byron Buxton this season, but behind the scenes, the organization is navigating a delicate balancing act that could ultimately shape the team\u2019s playoff hopes later in the year.<\/p>\n
Buxton remains in the lineup after suffering a right hip flexor injury earlier this month, but the Twins are clearly being extremely cautious about returning their All-Star center fielder to full defensive duties.<\/p>\n
And based on Buxton\u2019s own comments, patience is becoming increasingly difficult.<\/p>\n
Since returning from injury on May 19, Buxton has largely been limited to designated hitter responsibilities while continuing his recovery process.<\/p>\n
Although the move helps keep his bat in the lineup, it also removes one of the most valuable aspects of his game: elite defense in center field.<\/p>\n
Speaking after Minnesota\u2019s 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox, Buxton admitted he\u2019s eager to return to the outfield as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re working on that brake system. It\u2019s good though,\u201d Buxton explained. \u201cEvery day it\u2019s progressing, feeling better. Keep going day by day and go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then came the revealing part.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, it\u2019s May so I don\u2019t want to do something stupid, which is hard. They\u2019re keeping me contained. I\u2019m telling them all the time \u2018Put me out there. I\u2019ll be fine. Put me out there.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
That quote perfectly captures the tension surrounding the situation.<\/p>\n
Buxton wants to compete.
\nThe Twins want to protect him.<\/p>\n
And both sides understand just how important he could become later in the season.<\/p>\n
Minnesota\u2019s medical staff and coaching staff appear determined not to repeat past mistakes.<\/p>\n
Buxton has dealt with multiple lower-body injuries throughout his career, including serious knee issues that dramatically impacted previous seasons. Because of that history, the Twins are prioritizing long-term health over short-term urgency.<\/p>\n
According to Buxton, the coaching staff continues reminding him that playing at \u201c100 percent intensity\u201d before his body is fully ready could easily worsen the injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey know me pretty well,\u201d Buxton admitted. \u201cThey know where I want to be so I\u2019m trusting the process and to be able to still be able to play and contribute to the team, that\u2019s positive.\u201d<\/p>\n
That trust matters enormously.<\/p>\n
Because when healthy, Buxton remains one of the most dynamic players in Major League Baseball.<\/p>\n
The concern surrounding Buxton\u2019s designated hitter role is not simply about defense.<\/p>\n
Historically, his offensive production changes dramatically depending on whether he\u2019s playing center field or serving only as a DH.<\/p>\n
The numbers tell the story.<\/p>\n
As a center fielder during his MLB career, Buxton has hit:<\/p>\n
As a designated hitter, however, his production drops noticeably:<\/p>\n
And those struggles have continued in 2026.<\/p>\n
This season:<\/p>\n
That contrast is impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n
Part of the issue may go beyond mechanics or physical rhythm.<\/p>\n
Buxton openly admitted in previous interviews that serving as a designated hitter creates mental challenges for him because of the extra downtime between at-bats.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though you try to tell yourself you\u2019ve got to flip the page because you\u2019ve got to go back up there, you\u2019re still, in the back of your head\u2026\u201d Buxton explained during Spring Training in 2024 while discussing his struggles as a DH.<\/p>\n
He described how having too much time to think often disrupts his natural instincts at the plate.<\/p>\n
That insight helps explain why Buxton becomes such a different offensive player when actively involved defensively in the field.<\/p>\n
Center field keeps him mentally engaged.
\nDH responsibilities force him into constant reflection between at-bats.<\/p>\n
For some players, that distinction matters more than people realize.<\/p>\n
Despite the frustration, there are positive signs emerging from Buxton\u2019s recovery.<\/p>\n
Reports indicate he has already resumed running at full speed and recently scored from first base during an extra-inning win after aggressively attacking the bases.<\/p>\n
That explosiveness is encouraging.<\/p>\n
However, observers also noticed moments where Buxton still appeared cautious while slowing down or decelerating \u2014 an important detail considering his injury involves the hip flexor and overall movement control.<\/p>\n
According to reporters covering the team, Buxton himself understands he is close, but not fully there yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe knows he\u2019s just not totally there,\u201d one observer noted.<\/p>\n
And for a player whose game depends so heavily on speed, explosiveness, and elite athleticism, \u201calmost healthy\u201d may not be good enough.<\/p>\n
The bigger picture remains obvious.<\/p>\n
Minnesota needs Byron Buxton healthy when the season truly matters.<\/p>\n
The Twins have playoff ambitions, and a fully healthy Buxton dramatically changes the ceiling of the entire roster. Few players impact games in as many ways:<\/p>\n
When Buxton is healthy and playing center field confidently, he becomes one of baseball\u2019s most dangerous all-around players.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s exactly why the Twins are being so careful now.<\/p>\n
At the moment, Buxton\u2019s situation has become a waiting game.<\/p>\n
The Twins want him healthy enough to trust his body completely.
\nBuxton wants to get back into center field immediately.
\nAnd fans desperately want to see their superstar fully unleashed again.<\/p>\n
But after years of injuries and setbacks, Minnesota clearly understands that rushing the process could become disastrous.<\/p>\n
For now, the organization appears committed to taking things one day at a time.<\/p>\n
And while that approach may frustrate Buxton in the short term, it could ultimately become one of the smartest decisions the Twins make all season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Byron Buxton Playing Frustrating Waiting Game as Twins Carefully Manage Hip Injury Recovery The Minnesota Twins continue receiving superstar-level production from Byron Buxton this season, but behind… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n