Hayes: "Buxton Away For Personal Reasons"

[Matthew Lenz]

Had you noticed that Byron Buxton not only played but started in the first 11 games of the season? Either way, you've probably noticed he's been out of the lineup on back-to-back. After awkwardly crashing into the wall days prior, you may have been concerned that the Twins' centerfielder was dealing with an injury. Alas, that doesn't seem to be the case after an update from Dan Hayes on Buxton's absence yesterday and today.

First and foremost, we hope that everything is okay with Buxton and his loved ones. We don't have any information on what the personal matter may be, and frankly it's none of our business.

While Buxton was reportedly healthy as ever coming into the season, many were still cautiously optimistic that he could play 100+ games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in his career. Despite making ten consecutive starts for the first time since 2021, Buxton has struggled at the plate with a sub-.500 OPS, one home run, and a 16:1 K:BB ratio across 43 plate appearances. Especially when April is traditionally one of his better months, the Twins need more production out of their 31-year-old star.

Before that, though, Buxton needs to tend to his personal matter. Our thoughts are with him and his family.

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[Cory Engelhardt]

Hopefully he and his family and loved ones are all doing ok.

[jharaldson]

There are points where this does become our business.  The MLB policy for bereavement leave starts at 3 games for dealing with an illness or death in the family.  If he misses tomorrow as well and we don’t make a roster move then it is officially our business to know why we are playing shorthanded as that is a MLB roster decision at that point and not just personal decision for Buxton.

[C-Gangster]

3 hours ago, jharaldson said:

There are points where this does become our business.  The MLB policy for bereavement leave starts at 3 games for dealing with an illness or death in the family.  If he misses tomorrow as well and we don’t make a roster move then it is officially our business to know why we are playing shorthanded as that is a MLB roster decision at that point and not just personal decision for Buxton.

Where did respecting privacy go?

[nicksaviking]

3 hours ago, jharaldson said:

There are points where this does become our business.  The MLB policy for bereavement leave starts at 3 games for dealing with an illness or death in the family.  If he misses tomorrow as well and we don’t make a roster move then it is officially our business to know why we are playing shorthanded as that is a MLB roster decision at that point and not just personal decision for Buxton.

Nope, still not even close to your business. How would it be? Are you paying his salary? Are you his ride from the airport or watering his plants while he's away?

Yeah, I know, everyone shares too much on social media these days and randos feel like they have the right to know everything about everybody all the time. You don't. Sorry, it's on YOU to deal with your impulsive need to know, not Byron Buxton.

[dxpavelka]

3 hours ago, C-Gangster said:

Where did respecting privacy go?

it's HIS business.  did you not read what he wrote.  privacy be damned.  By the way he's going to be filming your next colonoscopy.

 

[jharaldson]

11 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Nope, still not even close to your business. How would it be? 

As I stated in my post, it is mine and other fans' business when it impacts roster construction.  The MLB Bereavement Policy was collectively bargained by the players and teams to allow for compassionate leave to players not to impact rosters by allowing for a minimum of 3 but no more than 7 days leave with the ability to be replaced on the 26-man roster.  If Buxton is not available today then I think it is fair game to question the team why we have not used the bereavement policy to replace him on the 26 man roster with Austin Martin.  Why are we playing short-handed?  

Just to confirm, I don't want to know any of his private business.  I just want to know why the Twins are not using roster rules that are in place to allow him his space, but still maintain a full roster.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

5 hours ago, jharaldson said:

As I stated in my post, it is mine and other fans' business when it impacts roster construction.  The MLB Bereavement Policy was collectively bargained by the players and teams to allow for compassionate leave to players not to impact rosters by allowing for a minimum of 3 but no more than 7 days leave with the ability to be replaced on the 26-man roster.  If Buxton is not available today then I think it is fair game to question the team why we have not used the bereavement policy to replace him on the 26 man roster with Austin Martin.  Why are we playing short-handed?  

Just to confirm, I don't want to know any of his private business.  I just want to know why the Twins are not using roster rules that are in place to allow him his space, but still maintain a full roster.

You can question Falvey’s judgement without making any of these statements of Buxton.

let Buxton have his peace

[C-Gangster]

14 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

it's HIS business.  did you not read what he wrote.  privacy be damned.  By the way he's going to be filming your next colonoscopy.

 

well i don't have to worry about that for another 37 years.

[Craig Arko]

Sorry, person A’s privacy > person B’s sense of entitlement.

[dxpavelka]

22 hours ago, C-Gangster said:

well i don't have to worry about that for another 37 years.

Good luck with that.

 

[C-Gangster]

Just now, dxpavelka said:

Good luck with that.

 

Thankyou that means a lot

[bean5302]

On 4/11/2025 at 7:53 AM, jharaldson said:

...If Buxton is not available today then I think it is fair game to question the team why we have not used the bereavement policy to replace him on the 26 man roster with Austin Martin...

Austin Martin is probably out 6-8 weeks with a hamstring injury so I'm not seeing that roster move happening. Brooks Lee is much more likely to get the call up anyway since DaShawn Keirsey beat Martin out to make the roster.

That aside, @jharaldson didn't ask to know what was going on with Byron Buxton. He was questioning why the Twins weren't making a corresponding roster move while Buxton was out. Of course, it's moot because Buxton returned to action as you'd expect since the level of incompetence to just forget you're down a player would be too much to believe. I'll just guess that they're an Austin Martin fan hoping to see Martin back at the MLB level by any means.

[dxpavelka]

2 minutes ago, C-Gangster said:

Thankyou that means a lot

You've got a lot of time.  Maybe you can try the **** in a box option.  Worked out well for me.  **** in the box and had to mail to box.  To Green Bay.  The day the Vikings and Packers played to a tie.  Mailing a box of **** to Green Bay was one of the more satisfying experiences on can have.