Byron Buxton Carted Off Field During Twins Scrimmage

[Tom Froemming]

Byron Buxton was carted off the field during Monday evening's Twins scrimmage after appearing to suffer an injury to his left leg.

 

TUESDAY UPDATE: Buxton suffered no structural damage. Buxton suffered a "mid-foot strain." He is considered day-to-day. It is likely that he will wear a walking boot for the next couple of days."We're at our best with Buck. That's a pretty easy statement to make."

 

Those were the words of Twins manager Rocco Baldelli during a brief press conference following Monday night's intrasquad scrimmage.

 

Right now, the Twins aren't sure how long they might be without Buxton. In a short season, every game counts extra, but injuries are to be expected. "We also know that we're going to have to have many guys step up over the course of this short season," Baldelli noted. "We're going to be dealing with adversity."

 

Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic shared video of Buxton being helped off the field.

 

 

Buxton was icing his ankle, elevating and awaiting more imaging. We should know more tomorrow, but Dan Hayes of The Athletic reported that the Twins are optimistic. That's obviously encouraging, given how severe this appeared to be initially.

 

Potentially being without Byron is obviously not ideal, but is a familiar circumstance the Twins have found themselves in over the years. Max Kepler has made 97 starts in center field over the past two seasons, so it would be a safe assumption Kepler would be who Baldelli would turn to should Buxton miss any time. Swinging Max to center creates a spot in a corner that would likely be filled by either Marwin Gonzalez or Jake Cave.

 

TUESDAY UPDATE: Baldelli was on MLB Network Radio and passed along the news that Buxton did not suffer any "structural damage or injury that they could find."

 

 

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[yarnivek1972]

Problematically, even a 4-6 week timetable is a season ender.

 

And btw, with no minor leagues, no place to play rehab games.

[operation mindcrime]

Shocking!!!!!

[DocBauer]

Of course! Because....Minnesota.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Problematically, even a 4-6 week timetable is a season ender.

 

And btw, with no minor leagues, no place to play rehab games.

wouldn’t rehab happen at CHS?

[bighat]

Are you kidding? Rats.

[howeda7]

2020 is wild but some things never change.

[TFRazor]

So what happens now? Max slides over and we get Cave/Wade platoon? Or does this open a door for Larnach/Kiriloff?

[Vanimal46]

So what happens now? Max slides over and we get Cave/Wade platoon? Or does this open a door for Larnach/Kiriloff?

The latter, hopefully. What a shame. Dude can never catch a break.

[howeda7]

 

So what happens now? Max slides over and we get Cave/Wade platoon? Or does this open a door for Larnach/Kiriloff?

Marwin/Kepler/Rosario in the OF.

[akmanak]

This guy is done. Move on to the next one.

[yarnivek1972]

wouldn’t rehab happen at CHS?

I don’t believe they have enough position players to field two complete teams to play an actual game. I think half of the extra 30 guys are pitchers. As far as I know the rules don’t say anything about being allowed to bring in other guys to be able to play actual games.

[Danchat]

So much for "it's a shortened season, so it's more likely Buxton can play the whole year"!

 

It's time the Twins find a capable backup who can man CF so Kepler can stay in RF. The Twins have a glut of corner outfielders (Rosario/Cave/Kiriloff/Rooker/Larnach) and could really use a true CF backup. Perhaps Wade Jr. will get some chances, and down the road Celestino could be that guy if his bat develops.

[h2oface]

Amazing. The guy just cannot stay on the field. He must be devastated. I know I am.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I don’t believe they have enough position players to field two complete teams to play an actual game. I think half of the extra 30 guys are pitchers. As far as I know the rules don’t say anything about being allowed to bring in other guys to be able to play actual games.

they have enough fielders to play sandlot ball on the taxi squad. You can rehab that way.

[Darius]

My fault for getting overly excited about hoe good Buxton could be this year.

[Craig Arko]

Probably best to wait for the diagnosis before freaking out.

[Seth Stohs]

 

So what happens now? Max slides over and we get Cave/Wade platoon? Or does this open a door for Larnach/Kiriloff?

 

We wait until tomorrow when we find out more about his foot... Maybe it was just a sprain and he misses a few days... I'm choosing to be optimistic until we find out more. Let's all hope. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I don’t believe they have enough position players to field two complete teams to play an actual game. I think half of the extra 30 guys are pitchers. As far as I know the rules don’t say anything about being allowed to bring in other guys to be able to play actual games.

 

No, but they have pitchers who can throw live BP... lefties, righties, hard throwers, soft throwers... 

[Linus]

I have not understood why the twins haven’t acquired a right handed hitting backup outfielder over the last several years. It’s been a need for a while....

[yarnivek1972]

I have not understood why the twins haven’t acquired a right handed hitting backup outfielder over the last several years. It’s been a need for a while....

Marwin Gonzalez?

[diehardtwinsfan]

I blame Randball for the curse.

[theBOMisthebomb]

Maybe Buxton's body just isn't designed to play baseball. How do you get hurt in a scrimmage?

[mikelink45]

I am shocked - I saw the headline and thought this was a joke or an old post.  It could not happen again and this soon.  I feel sorry for Byron - how frustrating this must be. 

 

Please - not Marwin.  Let's move down the line and get the prospects on the field if we have to fill spaces.  

 

Isn't there a real CF in the system?  Celestino?  He is on the 60 man.  I would rather have someone who can field the position than another bat. 

[Linus]

Marwin Gonzalez?

You want Marwin playing center field? Not me. He is pretty much only subsistence level in the outfield at this point

[BD57]

 

Probably best to wait for the diagnosis before freaking out.

 

Agree .... but Buxton's luck would have to radically change for this to "not cost him time."

[h2oface]

7:39pm: (MLBTR) Buxton’s initial exam didn’t reveal any serious problems, according to manager Rocco Baldelli (via Hayes). They’re cautiously optimistic Buxton will be OK.

[jud6312]

 

The latter, hopefully. What a shame. Dude can never catch a break.

 

This would be my hope, too. Cave is good as the 4th/5th OF, but I'd rather see one of the young guys out there every day. Maybe Rooker so it's not all lefties out there?

 

If Celestino had played above A+, he might be my pick because it would keep Max in RF.

[psturnbloom]

This is getting quite frustrating. 

[highlander]

Marwins versatility strikes again. Would love to see Kiriloff get an opportunity.