Byron Buxton Waiting on Rehab Assignment After Rocco Vetoed DH Idea

The Minnesota Twins have been without the services of their star centerfielder Byron Buxton since August 12th. What was supposed to be a minimal absence has turned into a multi-week affair. A rehab assignment is going to happen, and Rocco Baldelli isn’t doing the designated hitter thing again.

Byron Buxton not yet ready for Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins originally suggested that Byron Buxton wouldn’t miss more than the minimum amount of time mandated by a trip to the injured list. That date would have had the centerfielder activated on Friday August 23rd against the St. Louis Cardinals. He’s still not active, and now it appears he’ll travel with the St. Paul Saints to get back up to speed.

[Buxton] won’t be activated until the Twins are sure he can play the outfield again. Baldelli ruled out easing him back in as a designated hitter for a few days.

“We’re at our best when he’s in center field,” the manager said. “We need to get him ready to play the outfield.”

Phil Miller (Star Tribune)

When Phil Miller asked about a possibility that Buxton could operate as the designated hitter, the answer was a quick no, and for good reason. When Buxton operated as a DH last season, his OPS+ was 98.

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This year, that number is up to 137 and his 2024 3.3 fWAR trails only Carlos Correa among teammates. Defense plays a big part of that, both in the statistics and in his mind. There is no doubt the Minnesota Twins lineup is at its best, both offensively and defensively, when Byron Buxton is written in at center field.

Minnesota Twins must get it right with Byron Buxton

The Twins are still chasing down the Cleveland Guardians. There should be a sense of urgency to get him back, so he can help stop this recent skid. At the same time, they can’t afford to lose him again, after he returns.

The hip discomfort is likely related to the knee issues that have plagued him for years. Buxton missed substantial time, due to his hip, in both 2021 and 2022. When he returns, in 2024, it needs to be for the duration of the season.

Standing ovation from the crowd here for this inning-ending Byron Buxton catch.

He was slow to get up, but seemed fine as he jogged off the field — and that's when the ovation got really loud. pic.twitter.com/Is9dZpLDd7

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 4, 2024

Since June 7, a period of 46 games, Buxton owns a 1.063 OPS for Minnesota. He has nearly as many home runs (13) as he does doubles (15) in that timeframe. Although he started a bit slow out of the gate, Buxton has been one of Baldelli’s best hitters.

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The longer that both Buxton and Correa remain out of the lineup together, the worse off the Twins are for it. Minnesota shouldn’t feel like their postseason position is in peril if they miss a few extra days from Buxton. What they do once getting there though, will be virtually non-existent without their best players.