Byron Buxton Will Have Season-Ending Surgery

[Seth Stohs]

Image courtesy of David Frerker - IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Twins returned home after a tough road trip in Chicago and Detroit. Tonight, they will begin a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians. The Twins enter the series six games behind the White Sox and 4 1/2 games behind the Guardians in the AL Central. They're also 4 1/2 games behind Cleveland in the "race" for the third and final AL Wild Card. However, they need to pass the Orioles, Rangers and Blue Jays too while at the same time holding off the Mariners and Tigers.

The Remaining Schedule 

9/11-13: Home vs Guardians
9/14-16: Home vs Yankees
9/17-20: @ Angels 
9/21-23: @ Giants 
9/24: Day Off
9/25-27: Home vs Rangers

And when Derek Shelton met with the media before Friday's game, he told the assembled media that Byron Buxton will be having season-ending surgery on the hip injury that has bothered him throughout the second half. 

Buxton played in 75 of the team's first 91 games but hurt his hip in a game in New York and was placed on the IL, strategically using the All-Star break to give him time. At the time, he was hitting .271/.328/.575 (.904) with 15 doubles and 25 home runs. He was voted in as a starter in the outfield for the All-Star game but didn't play. 

He returned on July 20th. He had another set of about 15 games from July 28th through August 12th. He returned on August 13th and played in 11 straight games. His final game was on August 25th. So, since that July 20th return, Buxton played in 18 games and hit just .172/.274/.203 (.477) with two doubles and one RBI. After crossing past 100 games played in both 2024 and 2025, Buxton will end this season with 93 games played. 

Buxton, who will turn 33 in December, has two years and $30 million remaining on his contract. Early in the season, he passed 10.000 years of service time. 

Does the decision of Buxton and the team doctors to have season-ending surgery on Monday signify that the team is throwing in the towel on the 2026 season? I guarantee no one in the organization will say that out loud, at least until the team is officially eliminated. But there does come a time when being realistic is important and getting that surgery done in the hopes that he'll be as ready as possible for 2027. It also tells us just how much pain that he has been in for the last couple of months. 

We will have an offseason to discuss what this means for Buxton and the Twins. I'm sure the question of him being traded will come up, but Buxton has been very, very clear that he has no plans of leaving the organization. Could this necessitate a move to a corner outfield position, hence opening the door wide open for Walker Jenkins to take the center field job and run with it? How much will he need to DH, or could that mean that the Twins aren't going to need to sign a DH type like Josh Bell. 

That's all for another day. Getting past this upcoming surgery and getting to the rehab process is important. Getting some time with his family will be important. Getting away from baseball for some time will be important. But just knowing how competitive Byron Buxton is, you know he's going to push himself to be ready to make another run in 2027. 

 

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[HokieRif]

A healthy Buck was fun while it lasted.

[PuckettPond]

Who saw that coming? Twins are better without than with him. I hope he feels the Field of Dreams game was worth it. 

[MeleMouth]

And in other surprising news, Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead.

[Jack Pine]

We wish him a speedy recovery.

[PuckettPond]

Is it Erod time?

[Jacksson]

The idiots running the team should have put him on the 60 day IL and scheduled the surgery back in June when this condition first came to light.  Buxton has been worthless to the team since that time.  His ONLY VALUE being that fans who have sipped ownership's Competitive Kool-Aid will attend a game to see Buxton play.  Based upon his injury history throughout his career, this guy needs to be handled with kid gloves when it comes to his health.  No amount of delusional thinking by: ownership, field staff, trainers and player is able to make an injury go away, magically heal on it's own or enable a player to cope with pain/discomfort without an injury affecting on-field performance and potentially leading to other complications due to making adjustments to cope with the initial injury.  Future for Buxton with the Twins = RF, DH, maybe even 1B or perhaps with a different organization.

[Jacksson]

When a team calls to see if Buxton is available the Twins need to take the call and listen.

[Mike Sixel]

Good thing they played him injured. Then waited more days. This FO will never learn. 

[djvang]

Most overhyped player in Twins history. Fire away!

[thelanges5]

Hopefully delaying the surgery won’t impact his availability for ST and opening day. 

[MeleMouth]

15 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Good thing they played him injured. Then waited more days. This FO will never learn. 

The effects of waiting were (1) risking further injury; (2) pushing back return to full capability after rehab for two months; and (3) maintaining a self-image of "we're battlers who will do anything if there's a chance to make the playoffs."

[Whitey333]

The writer insinuated the Twins are giving up on the season because Buxton is shut down for the rest of it.  Big deal.  The past couple of months he hasnt helped the team at all.  In actuality he has hurt the teams performance and their roster construction.  He has only played 2 "full" seasons out of 12 with the Twins and those really weren't full seasons.  This has been going on for 12 years. I prsise him for trying and his willingness to stay a Twin.  But for quite some time now his on again, off again availability to play has hampered the team and the roster.  Maybe its time for Buck to consider retirement.  This idea for him to play at all costs us more of an ego thing.  He maybe should think more of the team than himself IMO.

[PuckettPond]

Buxton was not the solution Buxton is the problem. Buxton is turning out to be another over paid under performing always injured Joe Mauer when he punked out & moved to 1st base. 

[HarmonK03]

39 minutes ago, PuckettPond said:

Is it Erod time?

He is already on the IL and Jenkins was brought up for him, why would this change the status for ERod.

[HarmonK03]

30 minutes ago, Jacksson said:

When a team calls to see if Buxton is available the Twins need to take the call and listen.

He has veto rights, it is not going to happen, but sure keep pounding that drum.

[Parfigliano]

24 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Good thing they played him injured. Then waited more days. This FO will never learn. 

Agreed FO clueless.  I cant ignore the fact that Buxton chose to play injured and now finally have surgery.  

[PuckettPond]

The next time Twins fans see Buxton they are hoping it's on the back of a milk carton. Missing In Action!

[HarmonK03]

10 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

The writer insinuated the Twins are giving up on the season because Buxton is shut down for the rest of it.  Big deal.  The past couple of months he hasnt helped the team at all.  In actuality he has hurt the teams performance and their roster construction.  He has only played 2 "full" seasons out of 12 with the Twins and those really weren't full seasons.  This has been going on for 12 years. I prsise him for trying and his willingness to stay a Twin.  But for quite some time now his on again, off again availability to play has hampered the team and the roster.  Maybe its time for Buck to consider retirement.  This idea for him to play at all costs us more of an ego thing.  He maybe should think more of the team than himself IMO.

It was because of Buxton that they wouldn't call up Jenkins earlier or roster Gray when he went on the IL the first time.  Or that they continue to roster Jackson when they won't use him.  I think the roster mismanagement is totally on Zoll.

[HarmonK03]

13 minutes ago, PuckettPond said:

Buxton was not the solution Buxton is the problem. Buxton is turning out to be another over paid under performing always injured Joe Mauer when he punked out & moved to 1st base. 

Joe Mauer had concussion issues and had to move out from behind the plate to not risk brain injury from further concussions, that is a cheap shot on Mauer.

[PseudoSABR]

15 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

The writer insinuated the Twins are giving up on the season because Buxton is shut down for the rest of it.  Big deal.  The past couple of months he hasnt helped the team at all.  In actuality he has hurt the teams performance and their roster construction.  He has only played 2 "full" seasons out of 12 with the Twins and those really weren't full seasons.  This has been going on for 12 years. I prsise him for trying and his willingness to stay a Twin.  But for quite some time now his on again, off again availability to play has hampered the team and the roster.  Maybe its time for Buck to consider retirement.  This idea for him to play at all costs us more of an ego thing.  He maybe should think more of the team than himself IMO.

Dude.  There is nothing wrong with strategically holding out that Buxton could contribute in the playoffs, until that possibility became this remote.  It speaks to both the player's and the team's desire to holding out for a possible playoff run, which is what I want as a fan.  

That you make this about Buck's character is super weak sauce.  Criticism of the Twinkies and ownership/front office is totally fair game, on the other hand.

[Jacksson]

8 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

He has veto rights, it is not going to happen, but sure keep pounding that drum.

I am well aware of his veto rights !!  That does not mean the organization can't float it out there that the Twins would listen to offers for Buxton.  If the long term career benefits of a trade were to be framed correctly, the trade being with a contending organization and by emphasizing the benefit to the Twins in exchange for their patience and loyalty to Buxton over the course of his career; perhaps Buxton would recognize the handwriting on the wall here in Minnesota and waive his veto rights, approving a trade. 

[S Bart]

Due a bit of research on Buxton and an athlete with a hip injury. The likelihood of reinjurying exists. The loss of speed is certain. The best choice is for the team is to DH him or play in the corner outfield spots. A hip injury to an athlete can make them overcompensate one side over the other. Basically, they need to make some team player adjustments. 

[PuckettPond]

Can we pay to send him away like we did to Carlos Correa? Lets pass the collection plate.

[HarmonK03]

Just now, Jacksson said:

I am well aware of his veto rights !!  That does not mean the organization can't float it out there that the Twins would listen to offers for Buxton.  If the long term career benefits of a trade were to be framed correctly, the trade being with a contending organization and by emphasizing the benefit to the Twins in exchange for their patience and loyalty to Buxton over the course of his career; perhaps Buxton would recognize the handwriting on the wall here in Minnesota and waive his veto rights, approving a trade. 

I will go with his words that he wants to be here.  

[sweetmusicviola16]

Its time for the organization to move on. I get it Buxton is not going anywhere unless he decides its time to retire. But Buxton can't be relied upon. Really never could be. You get your 70 games out of him. This is a disruption to the team actually. 

[LastOnePicked]

More than anything, I'm wishing Buck a successful surgery and a full recovery. He has years of being a father and a husband and a decent guy in the community ahead of him. Mobility and health are so important.

I'd love to see him finish this contract strong and healthy and contributing to a winner. I don't know if it will happen, but I'm keeping a little hope for it.

[jkcarew]

The $500k bonus opportunity/possibility for 502 PA has slipped away in the past week, so…

[Cory Engelhardt]

Buxton as a lifelong Twin is going to be awesome. I hope his hip can get better so he can play next season. I'd imagine talk of him moving to a corner outfield spot will start too, assuming the surgery corrects what it needs to.

That said, one issue with the article; did he really pass 10,000 years of service time in the majors? That feels like it's more than he has played :)

[Mike Sixel]

6 minutes ago, LastOnePicked said:

More than anything, I'm wishing Buck a successful surgery and a full recovery. He has years of being a father and a husband and a decent guy in the community ahead of him. Mobility and health are so important.

I'd love to see him finish this contract strong and healthy and contributing to a winner. I don't know if it will happen, but I'm keeping a little hope for it.

Agreed. I never want to see someone hurt like this.