Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the only additions available to the Minnesota Twins are the ones that come internally. They recently promoted top shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper to the big league roster.
Young outfielders like Walker Jenkins and the now-healthy Emmanuel Rodriguez could get their call sooner than later too. But what the MN Twins really need right now, is their superstar center fielder, Byron Buxton.
Unfortunately, in the most important stretch of the season, outside of the week or two leading up to the trade deadline, the Twins have been without their 32-year-old leader, who re-aggravated a nagging hip injury on July 28, the second time that month (first time below).
Byron Buxton was thrown out stealing today for the first time since May 2024… and he re-injured his hip in the process. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/QNp3N8XuDl
— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) July 5, 2026
To make matters worse, Buxton’s road back to the field has been bumpier than expected. He even had to receive an unknown injection last week to try and speed up the process.
Byron Buxton finally progressing from hip injury
Whether it was the shot or just father time, though, it sounds like Byron is finally making tangible progress toward a return to the middle of Minnesota’s lineup.
According to LaVelle E. Neal (Star Tribune), Buxton was hitting in the cage on Monday before the Twins game at home against the Baltimore Orioles, meaning he is back doing baseball activities (finally).
Byron Buxton has been working out on the field and now is stepping into the batting cage. A coach who sure looks like Derek Shelton is throwing to him
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) August 10, 2026
This #MnTwins pregame clip from today at Target Field is notable for two reasons:
•1) Byron Buxton taking BP is a sign he may be close to returning (he was mashing, btw)
•2) Derek Shelton told us this is the first time in *seven years* he’s thrown a BP session pic.twitter.com/XOVeFhrMya
— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) August 10, 2026
Related: MN Twins Tried to Swing Big at Deadline but Refused to Trade Top Prospect
At 2.6 fWAR, Byron Buxton leads the Minnesota Twins in production this season. He has been up to 3.0 fWAR, but slid slightly before being placed on the injured list, before the All-Star Game he was supposed to start in.
Minnesota Twins need Buxton back in lineup
Out since July 28, Buxton owns a .263 average with an .864 OPS this season. His 25 home runs had him on pace to blitz by the 35 long balls he blasted a year ago. He certainly could still get there, and the Minnesota Twins would love to welcome his expected level of production back into their slumping lineup.
Neither Austin Martin or Alan Roden have performed well of late, and Buxton’s absence has place Luke Keaschall and Ryan Kreidler in stretched positions playing center field. Short of calling up Jenkins, there isn’t a good option to right the ship.
It’s possible that a brief rehab assignment could be necessary for the Twins star, but ultimately Minnesota just needs their 2025 Silver Slugger back in the lineup. If the Twins can rectify that shortly, they’ll be able to more easily track down the AL Central competition ahead of them.
Mentioned in this article:Byron Buxton Injury Updates
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