Uh-Oh: Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa Both Leave Twins Game After Outfield Collision

[Matthew Trueblood]

Image courtesy of © Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

They might yet extend their winning streak to 11 games and sweep the season series against should-be contenders, but the Twins are living in limbo right now. After a third-inning fly ball on which Byron Buxton charged hard as Carlos Correa backpedaled into the outfield, both players are out of the game. Twins Territory waits with bated breath to see what the prognosis on each turns out to be.

On an 0-2 count, Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins hit a pop-up with some extra carry. (For the Twins, nothing good begins with 'Cedric Mullins...'.) Buxton had been shading Mullins toward right field, and Correa had been playing up the middle. Because the ball was well beyond the infield apron and a bit toward left field, Correa hurried out after the ball, unsure whether Buxton would be able to get there. Buxton, meanwhile, read the ball well and charged hard, at a slight angle. At the last moment, Correa tried to pull off and brace for contact, but it did little good.

After a lengthy visit from the trainer and the manager, Correa left the game, while Buxton stayed in. However, by the bottom of the fourth, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. had replaced Buxton in center field. There has been no update as of the time of this writing, but each player appeared to hit their heads and be badly shaken up on the play. It's safe to guess that each will at least be evaluated for possible concussions.

You couldn't draw up a worse turn of events for the Twins if you tried. These are the two players in whom they are most heavily invested, financially, and Buxton has been at the heart of everything good that has happened for the team this year. Correa's season has already been a struggle, but that's certainly not more likely to turn itself around in the wake of this. We'll all await more information.

Already, this is a banged-up team. Harrison Bader left Game 2 of the doubleheader Wednesday in Baltimore, after Ty France had to leave Game 1. They have a bevy of versatile position players, but it's impossible to replace the sheer talent of Buxton and Correa—and equally daunting to replace the defensive brilliance, production and energy Buxton has provided on his own, all year. Keirsey could be in line for more playing time, in the short term, but if the team wants to complete its recovery from a dreadful start to the season, they'll need to get their stars back as soon as possible. Hopefully, the substitutions turn out to have been precautionary, and both players return to the lineup this weekend.

UPDATE: The Twins announced that both players have entered Major League Baseball's concussion protocol. That confirms the fears most felt when they watched the replays of the collision. As is always the case, it's impossible to predict how this will play out. They could be cleared of concussion concerns and miss minimal time, but if either does actually have a concussion—and the violence of the crash was certainly worrisome—they could suffer medium- and long-term effects, both in terms of time missed and performance diminution when they return. For now, the team and the players just need to proceed with caution.

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[UK Twin]

That was scary. I'll be amazed if Buck has avoided a concussion. Hopefully Correa is just sore. But Buxton's jaw connected with Correa's shoulder. The good news is they both walked off under their own steam and fingers crossed they've avoided serious injuries.

[jmlease1]

 

That was scary. I'll be amazed if Buck has avoided a concussion. Hopefully Correa is just sore. But Buxton's jaw connected with Correa's shoulder. The good news is they both walked off under their own steam and fingers crossed they've avoided serious injuries.

honestly, I'm more worried about Correa on the concussion side since he got hit more in the back of his head. But regardless, it's an awful collision and I hope it's much less serious than it looked.

Pretty amazing that Buxton still made the play and held on to the ball.

[TFRazor]

That was Buck's ball. Don't know what Correa was doing. This is why we call for it kids

[bean5302]

 

That was Buck's ball. Don't know what Correa was doing. This is why we call for it kids

If it's "Buck's ball" he needs to call it. Correa cannot see him, and only noticed a charging Buxton just before impact. Either player had a play on it. Buxton ran 100 feet for that ball, Correa moved 15 feet.

[UK Twin]

 

That was Buck's ball. Don't know what Correa was doing. This is why we call for it kids

It could have been either of theirs. It was right in that uncertain area. Correa, being the elite defender that he is, was always going for it. Just one of those things.

[bean5302]

 

That was scary. I'll be amazed if Buck has avoided a concussion. Hopefully Correa is just sore. But Buxton's jaw connected with Correa's shoulder. The good news is they both walked off under their own steam and fingers crossed they've avoided serious injuries.

Seems likely Correa winds up on concussion protocol. Looked like he was nearly knocked out with the shoulder to the back of the head. Scary stuff. Hope it's as minor as it can be.

[TFRazor]

 

If it's "Buck's ball" he needs to call it. Correa cannot see him, and only noticed a charging Buxton just before impact. Either player had a play on it. Buxton ran 100 feet for that ball, Correa moved 15 feet.

Which is why I said, "this is why we call for it kids." Doesn't matter the relative distances moved. If the outfielder can get to a ball and make a play, it's theirs. Correa should've also called for it as he should be aware that Buxton will be coming in hard tracking the ball, not looking to see if there's someone in his way. I'm certainly not assigning blame to one more than the other. They both messed up.

Edited May 15, 2025 by TFRazor

[alexlegge]

47 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

honestly, I'm more worried about Correa on the concussion side since he got hit more in the back of his head. But regardless, it's an awful collision and I hope it's much less serious than it looked.

Pretty amazing that Buxton still made the play and held on to the ball.

If Buck had to keep a ball in a glove on his hand for a year, I have no doubt he could manage, including in his sleep.

But yeah - the mechanics of this collision looked a bit more concerning for Correa. Though I hope that the decision to take Buxton out a half-inning later was just a matter of delayed precaution.

[UK Twin]

21 minutes ago, TFRazor said:

Which is why I said, "this is why we call for it kids." Doesn't matter the relative distances moved. If the outfielder can get to a ball and make a play, it's theirs. Correa should've also called for it as he should be aware that Buxton will be coming in hard tracking the ball, not looking to see if there's someone in his way. I'm certainly not assigning blame to one more than the other. They both messed up.

Neither of them messed up. That collision happened because they're both elite defenders at their position and Buxton is ridiculously quick. If they weren't as good as they are that ball would have dropped between them and everyone is fine. It's simply an unfortunate incident - no one at fault. 

[hitterscount]

Hockey players they are not. Regardless playing great fundamental ball, I will eat crow after being a downer for most of the early season. They have become a very entertaining team to watch. Ill keep MLB for the future.

[alexlegge]

8 minutes ago, hitterscount said:

Hockey players they are not. Regardless playing great fundamental ball, I will eat crow after being a downer for most of the early season. They have become a very entertaining team to watch. Ill keep MLB for the future.

Imagine if playing hockey actually helped prevent brain injuries....what a boon that would've been to Twins teams of yore!!

[Clare]

24 minutes ago, alexlegge said:

Imagine if playing hockey actually helped prevent brain injuries....what a boon that would've been to Twins teams of yore!!

Yes indeed . . . fondly remembering AL MVP and Twins Hall of Famer Justin Morneau.  I still think about what might have been, but for his second base concussion injury.  

[Clare]

11 minutes ago, Clare said:

Yes indeed . . . fondly remembering AL MVP and Twins Hall of Famer Justin Morneau.  I still think about what might have been, but for his second base concussion injury.  

 . . . and let's not forget third baseman Corey Koskie either.  Another good Canadian hockey playing Twins great, who's career was cut too short by a concussion, and whose loss was also felt deeply on the field.  

[alexlegge]

4 minutes ago, Clare said:

Yes indeed . . . fondly remembering AL MVP and Twins Hall of Famer Justin Morneau.  I still think about what might have been, but for his second base concussion injury.  

Indeed. His first half in 2010 was a step above even his MVP season. He was arguably the best player in the game.

Now he's arguably the best color commentator in the game. Thankfully that puts him at much less risk of job-related brain trauma. I suppose there are worse realities than this one.

[Vanimal46]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

Seems likely Correa winds up on concussion protocol. Looked like he was nearly knocked out with the shoulder to the back of the head. Scary stuff. Hope it's as minor as it can be.

Looking at the replay that was my uneducated guess as well. Correa took the biggest hit and I would be surprised if he’s not concussed. 

[Vanimal46]

One would say it’s one of the most expensive collision in Twins history 

[Heinie Manush]

I presume you call up Gaspar.  Martin is hurt.  Julien is a mess.  Rodriguez is young and has been playing half way decently.  Miranda is Miranda.  So, how about moving Tonkin to the 60-day and giving McCusker a shot?

[mnfireman]

3 hours ago, TFRazor said:

Which is why I said, "this is why we call for it kids." Doesn't matter the relative distances moved. If the outfielder can get to a ball and make a play, it's theirs. Correa should've also called for it as he should be aware that Buxton will be coming in hard tracking the ball, not looking to see if there's someone in his way. I'm certainly not assigning blame to one more than the other. They both messed up.

Just watched the replay, you can see Buxton calling for the ball; "I got it, I got it, I got it". Couldn't tell if Correa was calling for it, replay was too blurry when he started back on the ball.

[FlyingFinn]

8 hours ago, TFRazor said:

That was Buck's ball. Don't know what Correa was doing. This is why we call for it kids

I played SS and any collision was always the outfielders fault with no noise. But that was in high school and the radio announcers said there was a pretty good crowd making noise at the park today. I don't know how more of these don't happen in MLB. I will say, if I had the chance at SS, I would have immediately dove to the ground and let the outfielder go over the top of me once I heard the OF (as Correa did right at the end), I just don't think Correa had time to do that.

[glunn]

5 hours ago, TFRazor said:

Which is why I said, "this is why we call for it kids." Doesn't matter the relative distances moved. If the outfielder can get to a ball and make a play, it's theirs. Correa should've also called for it as he should be aware that Buxton will be coming in hard tracking the ball, not looking to see if there's someone in his way. I'm certainly not assigning blame to one more than the other. They both messed up.

What I taught players in little league was that the outfielder needs to make the call LOUDLY and the infielder needs to get out of the way.

[glunn]

5 hours ago, TFRazor said:

Which is why I said, "this is why we call for it kids." Doesn't matter the relative distances moved. If the outfielder can get to a ball and make a play, it's theirs. Correa should've also called for it as he should be aware that Buxton will be coming in hard tracking the ball, not looking to see if there's someone in his way. I'm certainly not assigning blame to one more than the other. They both messed up.

In my opinion, if the outfielder makes the call soon enough and loud enough then any collision is the fault of the infielder.  Otherwise I would blame the outfielder.  

That said, I acknowledge that the may be close situations where neither is at fault or both are at fault.

I am praying that both players recover quickly and suffer no lasting consequences, and that all of the players learn from this.  As I recall, Jason Kublel blew out a knee from colliding with another outfielder and was never the same.  I am still sad about that.

[glunn]

4 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

One would say it’s one of the most expensive collision in Twins history 

Let's hope that it's a minor blip and that it causes players to be more careful in the future.

[High heat]

Bader out, Buxton and Correa miss time, you almost have to call up E Rod just for the defense and someone capable to play CF, unless your going shopping in the DFA bin again.

[jorgenswest]

You can see Buxton calling for the ball on the replay but it was loud with kids packing the stadium. Centerfield has priority. Correa didn’t hear him early enough with the noise. I don’t find anyone at fault. It was two guys determined to make sure that ball was caught. I hope they return soon.

[bean5302]

23 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

You can see Buxton calling for the ball on the replay but it was loud with kids packing the stadium. Centerfield has priority. Correa didn’t hear him early enough with the noise. I don’t find anyone at fault. It was two guys determined to make sure that ball was caught. I hope they return soon.

You mean 0.1 sec before he crashes into Correa or did your eyes see something in the zoomed out TV angle I didn't on my 32" 4k monitor? 

Maybe you were watching on an Android device?

 

[twinstalker]

8 hours ago, UK Twin said:

no one at fault. 

Either Buxton didn't call loudly for the ball or Correa ignored him, as I've seen him do with others.  One of them was clearly at fault.

It wouldn't shock me if Correa heard him but said "I'm Carlos Correa, your leader" and expected Buxton to back off.  I've seen it already this year in left field with Correa...and the LF did back off when it was his ball.  Here Buxton didn't, and Correa backed off at the last second.  It was Buxton's ball as long as he called it strongly/loudly.

[jorgenswest]

15 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

You mean 0.1 sec before he crashes into Correa or did your eyes see something in the zoomed out TV angle I didn't on my 32" 4k monitor? 

Maybe you were watching on an Android device?

 

Honestly don’t get the Android device reference or the clip. Too old for that stuff. Never been on TikTok and have no idea what “describes your life” has to do with this. If you really care I watched the clip of my computer monitor but my eyes are old. I can defer to the younger eyes that don’t see a jaw moving up and down as Buxton comes in. In that case it is Buxton’s fault. 

[TopGunn#22]

This is when other guys, like the 2B or LF need to help out a little.  Even though Correa is an elite defender, when an outfielder is coming in, with the head of steam that Buxton had (and when that CF is as elite as Buxton) if I'm the 2B, I'm calling BUXTON, BUXTON, BUXTON !!!  

If Correa pulls off and the ball falls for a hit, I'm the 2B who takes the blame in the dugout.  That's just my 2 cents.  When it's loud like that, other fielders can't just be spectators.  They are not directly involved in the play, but being in close proximity,  they can take a look and make a judgement, and be loud themselves.  

It's good the Twins have them both in concussion protocol.  You just can't take any chances with something like that.  But it's a major bullet dodged that neither tore up a knee or something on the play.

Maybe Keirsey's bat is coming alive and he can can play an everyday CF until Buxton is cleared.  Otherwise, maybe it IS time to throw E-Rod out there.  McCusker could be interesting as well as the RH corner OF bat with Bader hurting.  Either way, our OF and IF defense just took a major hit in the hopefully short term.  

It will have to be Brooks Lee at SS in the meantime.  The Silver Lining is that Lee gets a chance to show he can be a major league SS and not just a fill in guy who profiles better at 3B/2B.  

[bean5302]

9 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

Honestly don’t get the Android device reference or the clip. Too old for that stuff. Never been on TikTok and have no idea what “describes your life” has to do with this. If you really care I watched the clip of my computer monitor but my eyes are old. I can defer to the younger eyes that don’t see a jaw moving up and down as Buxton comes in. In that case it is Buxton’s fault. 

I don't have TikTok, either, but I saw the iPhone vs. Android joke clip somewhere. To give you reference, Android devices are (were) detecting when users were taking photos of the moon and substituting the camera for a telescope stock image of the moon. It became a running joke, and I find the clip pretty funny.