The Twins Faced a No-Win Situation with Byron Buxton’s Injury Plan

[Cody Christie]

The Twins entered the 2023 season hoping for better health after an injury-filled 2022 campaign. Byron Buxton’s usage was part of that plan, but the results have been disastrous.

Image courtesy of Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

 

Entering the 2023 season, the Twins hired Nick Paparesta as the team’s head athletic trainer, hoping he could help the club with some of their injury woes. Injuries were one of the team’s unfortunate storylines during the 2022 season, and it was a primary reason the club finished in third place in the AL Central. The club ranked second in the big leagues with 2,363 player-days lost to the injured list, including 19 players on the IL to finish the season. One of the players on the injured list to end the year was Byron Buxton, and injuries have impacted his performance throughout his professional career. 

In September, Buxton underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to clean up the joint that caused him lingering issues throughout the 2022 season. The team hoped he’d be ready by spring training at the time of the surgery, but things didn’t play out that way. Buxton entered spring training needing to be ramped up slowly to avoid any potential setbacks. His first appearance in a minor league game came just two weeks before Opening Day, and it was becoming more apparent that the Twins needed a different plan for 2023. 

On March 21st, the Twins announced Buxton would open the season as the team’s everyday designated hitter. Multiple reasons existed for the team to make this decision, including he was continuing to build up from his off-season knee surgery, and colder weather in the season’s early weeks can impact players. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters that Buxton was “doing great” physically, but the club viewed this as a plan to keep Buxton in the line-up as much as possible. 

For the most part, Buxton has been regularly available, but there are many more layers to the team’s plan at this point in the season. He has yet to play a defensive inning in center field, and the team has repeatedly said that Buxton is no closer to playing in the outfield. In the middle of July, Thad Levine mentioned that Buxton was doing a lot of defensive work “behind the scenes” to help ramp up before returning to the field. It seemed like a light might be at the end of the tunnel, but the light has started to fade. 

The Twins placed Buxton on the injured list on August 4th with a strained right hamstring. Minnesota plans to reevaluate Buxton after a two-week shutdown and ramp him up again. It was his second IL stint of the season after being hit in the ribs earlier in the year. He’s played in 85 of the team’s first 114 games, but he’s likely out until the end of August or the beginning of September. His goal last season was to play in 100 games, and he fell eight games short of that mark. Now, he’s in danger of falling short of the century mark again. 

 

For the most part, Buxton has lived up to the team’s plan regarding availability, but ongoing knee issues have hampered his performance. In 85 games, he has hit .207/.294/.438 (.731) with 17 doubles, 17 home runs, and a 99 OPS+. Buxton hasn’t posted an OPS+ below 115 since the 2018 season. Strong returns from injury were one of Buxton’s exceptional abilities in previous seasons, which might point to more significant injury issues this season. His health hasn’t improved even without playing in the field, making his injury situation frustrating for everyone involved with the Twins. 

The Twins faced a no-win situation with Buxton and his health in 2023. Minnesota could have thrown him into the outfield on Opening Day and hoped for the best. However, that likely would have bothered his chronic knee issues and put him on the IL earlier in the season. Some fans will continue to call for the Twins to use Buxton in the outfield even when he returns from his current IL stint. It’s looking more like that won’t be possible in 2023, and the club will need to formulate an alternate plan for 2024 and beyond. 

Should the Twins have done something different with Buxton this season? What should the team’s plan be for next year? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[rwilfong86]

They've been playing so much better without him, I am good if they take their time bringing him back. The guys getting those at bats at DH have been doing pretty good. 

[Tibs]

There's no way to answer this without knowing the situation with his knee. All we've heard is it is a chronic issue.

If his knee can be fixed, then fix it. They should take whatever time is required to do that.

If it cannot be fixed, then that is extremely concerning. The question then becomes "Can he even play baseball anymore?" instead of "What should be the team's plan for next year?" He can't play in the field, clearly isn't 100% when running the bases, and it wouldn't be a stretch to assume it has impacted him in the batter's box. He can't continue to play like this.

[ValleySpringsFan]

Apologies in advance for how crazy this sounds. But if Buxton were my age (old!), he'd have already gotten a knee replacement. Anyone know of a professional athlete who has competed on an artificial knee? Because knee replacement sure sounds like what he needs.

[specialiststeve]

Is so disappointing. 

When he came up his tools were unbelievable.

With all the medical experts out there and at their disposal is kind of weird that they can't get him right. 

Good chance like all of us old farts we have to take it down a gear or end up with a pulled something. So hard 

to do though. like the others not sure what the answer is .. except trade him and get what you can.. move on. 

[rv78]

You touched on the major problem this FO wanted. They wanted Buxton to be "available". Unfortunately being "available" and being a "contributing factor" can be two different things, and in Buxton's case, it is. At this point in the season and based on his productivity at the DH spot, I would send him to the surgeon and fix the problem even if it means the rest of the season without him. He isn't worth having in the lineup the way he is and others are proving right now they are better filling the DH spot than him, so what have they got to lose? Nothing! AND, if he can't be fixed then it is time to part ways with him and it shouldn't matter how they do it. Keeping a broken commodity for part-time measures when others are better does not make your TEAM better. 

[jkcarew]

For 2024, throw him in CF (with a better back-up plan than MAT).

Or send him to a surgeon. Or see if he'll agree to a buy-out/retirement.

Anything but DH.

[gman]

Bo Jackson and A Rod had hip replacement surgeries. neither were the same afterword but they did play. I am not aware of someone with knee replacement still playing following surgery. However it has been over a year now since he went out with knee problems and I think he had surgery last August. It hasn't healed in the year since, maybe it won't or they definitely need to do something more drastic.

[JesusisLord7]

I had a car like Byron Buxton in the past. It looked nice in the driveway but it was always broke. The guy has had like 30 injuries. His hip, his knee, his hamstring etc. I think the hang nail is next. I'm not sure what bothers me more Byron Buxton or the Trevor Mahle trade. 

Byron Buxton sat on a wall
Byron Buxton had a great fall

All the Twins trainers

and all the Twins men

Couldn't put Byron Buxton together again. 

[Big Jon]

Who had a higher strike out rate?

Buxton or Sano?

[Reptevia]

If the knee can be surgically repaired, they should do it now. 

[tony&rodney]

My empathy is with Byron. His body just has not been fully healed, affecting his swing completely and keeping him off the grass. We have seen how much fun he has playing centerfield in the past.  The restrictions are a total bummer for him.

The Twins should do whatever they can to make him whole. Hopefully both management and Buck find a solution for him.

[Einheri]

I'd surgically repair him some more or at least rest him, possibly you bring him back at the end of the year, but I'm thinking it might be best to wait until 2024.  We need him to play OF; that's where Byron's value lies.  Possibly a corner position would keep him healthier during the season?

Julian probably ends up at DH with only occasional starts at 2B.  Polanco returns to 2B when Lewis is back.

[Doctor Evil]

There is way beyond enough of a track record to prove that he is not able to stay healthy and available to a Major League roster. This teams loyalty to the player and not the results is frustrating to me.

[Vanimal46]

I have minimal interest seeing Buxton again until he can play in the field. Ideally; the staff puts together a plan for him to play CF short time for a playoff run. If he can’t play this year; then move forward with a plan (likely involving a major surgery) to get him on the field in 2024. 

[Whitey333]

Same old stories with Buxton.  8 years of injuries.  The poor guy should retire.  In any case the Twins should set him out for the rest of the season.  He us not helping the team at all.  Quite the contrary.  He's hurting the team.  The team plays much better without his automatic out in the lineup.  It's time to shut Buxton down.  

[wabene]

It is crazy how the worm has turned. Used to be the talk was about how much better the Twins record was with Buxton in the lineup. This year it seems to have flipped. He must not be healthy enough to perform as in the past. Yet the team is about as forthcoming with information as the most paranoid NFL regimes, lol. To be fair they may or may not know what the future holds for Buxton's knee or other issues. It surely is looking like a chronic problem. At this point then they would have to operate with a focus on getting the most value from him over the term of his contact with less regards to short term value. So if that means shutting him down for another procedure then you do that. If the problem can't be fixed, the only option is to see if there is a way he can contribute with a change in playing style or position etc. Sadly with his performance as a DH only, this may not work. Eventually this mystery will unfold, but I would not be surprised if we were still relegated to mere speculation as the season opens next year. 

[Karbo]

Buxton doesn't seem to be a DH type of player. IMO not playing in the field has messed with his head. The trial period of him as full time DH should be over. The whole purpose was to keep him healthy. Since that didn't work, its time to put him back in the OF and let him play til he gets hurt again. Broken Byron just seems to be the norm.

[mikelink45]

His injury plan - plan on being injured.  So sorry, but his fragile body has proven it will not hold up.  My only concern is that Lewis and Kiriloff might be following that path too.  

[Dave Borton]

13 hours ago, ValleySpringsFan said:

Anyone know of a professional athlete who has competed on an artificial knee?

No one has. Here is Pedroia's interview after his career ending partial knee surgery. And after my knee replacement, the doc made it simple: "No more running, champ."

https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/red-sox/dustin-pedroia-reveals-he-had-knee-replacement-surgery

[Dave Borton]

13 hours ago, specialiststeve said:

With all the medical experts out there and at their disposal is kind of weird that they can't get him right. 

Buxton's knee is as good as it is going to get w/o replacement surgery. Arthroscopic surgery hasn't worked.

Twins are boxed in. I am sure no insurance company underwrote his salary. Twins are on the hook for eating that salary; hence the DH only.

Ouch.

[Riverbrian]

A friend of mine makes Dandelion Wine. 

It takes a lot of effort to make it. The bending over, picking, snipping, fermenting, ageing. 

It takes a lot of time (over a year) and effort... and space to store it every step of the way. 

When you stop by his place... he is going to break open a bottle and give you some. It really doesn't taste very good but I understand the effort he is putting into it so I respectfully drink it. 

I don't have the heart to tell him that this Dandelion wine he is making is hitting .207 and the space he is using to store it... could be used for a better hitting Penot Noir. 

 

 

 

[Dave Borton]

1 hour ago, Karbo said:

IMO not playing in the field has messed with his head.

The right knee is probably bone on bone or a minimal amount of meniscus left in there. Grab a bat, take your normal swing, and imagine pushing off with Buxton's right knee as you swing.

It's the knee, not the head. The man is playing with pain.

[Original_JB]

Well, since the arthroscopic clean-up apparently didn't do the trick, outside of replacement, I guess there's the possibility of using the microfracture stem cell surgery procedure if it's a cartilage damage situation. But like others have said, if that's the case, shut it down now, get the 'fix' underway and hope for the best in '24.  *Edit.   I guess there's the possibility that they tell him that to avoid the replacement at such a young age, he needs to avoid heavy stress on the joint, period.

[mikelink45]

48 minutes ago, davidborton said:

No one has. Here is Pedroia's interview after his career ending partial knee surgery. And after my knee replacement, the doc made it simple: "No more running, champ."

https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/red-sox/dustin-pedroia-reveals-he-had-knee-replacement-surgery

Having an artificial knee has hampered my hiking experience and my wife is still struggling with her first replacement while recovering from her second.  Artificial knees reduce pain and allow you to move about, but not play baseball.

[Twinkie]

There sure are a lot of arm chair doctors here explaining exactly the issues Buxton is having with his knee in great detail (bone on bone, etc) without examining his knee in person. I suggest he has it looked at by professionals and have what needs to be done to make it better if possible. If there is nothing that can be done (I don’t feel knee replacement is an option for a professional athlete) then he should retire. 

[Karbo]

1 hour ago, davidborton said:

The right knee is probably bone on bone or a minimal amount of meniscus left in there. Grab a bat, take your normal swing, and imagine pushing off with Buxton's right knee as you swing.

It's the knee, not the head. The man is playing with pain.

I have had both knees replaced over the last 10 years so I know quite well how it feels. If his knee(s) are that bad it probably is time to retire.

[walkstar89]

15 hours ago, Tibs said:

There's no way to answer this without knowing the situation with his knee. All we've heard is it is a chronic issue.

If his knee can be fixed, then fix it. They should take whatever time is required to do that.

If it cannot be fixed, then that is extremely concerning. The question then becomes "Can he even play baseball anymore?" instead of "What should be the team's plan for next year?" He can't play in the field, clearly isn't 100% when running the bases, and it wouldn't be a stretch to assume it has impacted him in the batter's box. He can't continue to play like this.

Totally agree. This is a perfect recap of my own thoughts. Wish the team was more transparent about injuries 

[Dave Borton]

36 minutes ago, Twinkie said:

There sure are a lot of arm chair doctors here explaining exactly the issues Buxton is having with his knee

I admit, I only play one on TV. <wink/>

Quote

 I suggest he has it looked at by professionals and have what needs to be done to make it better if possible

I am sure he has. There is $100MM riding on it.

[saviking]

Buxton has always been, and continues to be, that shiny object ...