Byron Buxton Avoids Major Injury After Another Hit By Pitch Scare

[Cody Christie]

Durability has never quite matched the talent for Byron Buxton. Over the course of his 12-year big league career, he has dealt with a wide range of injuries, many of them coming in ways that are hard to prevent. Whether it is crashing into walls, colliding with teammates, or wearing pitches, Buxton’s all-out style has often come at a physical cost.

That reality made Friday night feel all too tense. In the seventh inning of Minnesota’s home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, Buxton was struck on the right forearm by a 92 mile per hour fastball from Kevin Kelly. The reaction was immediate. He signaled for assistance and headed off the field, leaving a quiet concern hanging over the ballpark.

It was not the first time this spring that Buxton had been in that situation. While playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, he was hit in a game against Team Brazil and forced out shortly after. That incident ultimately proved minor, with imaging showing no structural damage.

This one followed a similar path. Shortly after exiting Friday’s game, the Twins announced that Buxton’s X-rays came back clean. The official diagnosis was a forearm contusion, meaning the injury is more about soreness than anything long-term.

Buxton did not make much of it in his postgame remarks, keeping his outlook straightforward.

“It’s an arm,” he said. “It ain’t broken, so I’m good.”

That kind of update is about as positive as it gets, given the circumstances. On the field, Minnesota made sure the game itself did not slip away. After Buxton departed, the lineup came alive with a seven-run inning that flipped the night completely. Tristan Gray delivered the biggest swing with his first career grand slam, helping push the Twins to a comfortable 10-4 win.

Even with the victory, Buxton’s status remains the real storyline. The Twins are still finding their rhythm with a 3-3 record to open the year, and his presence plays a major role in what this team can be. His early numbers at the plate have been modest, but his impact extends well beyond the box score when he is healthy and in center field.

For now, the organization appears to have avoided a worst-case outcome. Buxton missed Saturday's game, but the early signs point to a manageable situation. Considering his history, that alone is enough to feel like a win.

View full rumor