As MLB season makes its way through mid May, the Minnesota Twins (23-20) are presently the hottest team in baseball, and at time of publication, are well on their way to winning an 11th consecutive game.
Spirits were high in the Twin Cities. On Wednesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves advanced to the NBA’s Western Conference Finals, while the Twins are looking to sweep the Baltimore Orioles for the second time in seven days.
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (25) celebrates his three run home run with shortstop Carlos Correa (4) and third baseman Jose Miranda (64) at T-Mobile Park.John Froschauer-Imagn Images
However, in Thursday’s series finale with the O’s, Minnesota was dealt a significant blow at Camden Yards.
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To lead off the bottom of the third inning, Orioles speedster Cedric Mullins hit a bloop into shallow center where Twins center fielder Byron Buxton and shortstop Carlos Correa directly collided. Miraculously, Buxton managed to make the catch, retiring Mullins.
The scary incident came with pitcher Chris Paddack on the hill and the Twins up 3-0. Buxton helped create that lead with his 401-foot home run in the top half of the third inning.
Most unfortunately, both Buxton and Correa were unable to remain in the game. Correa seemed to get the worst of it, as his neck suffered significant whiplash. Overall, the play underscores the vitality of communication between infielders and outfielders on baseballs hit in “no man’s land.”
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In particular, Buxton is enjoying a career year in his 11th season with the Twins. Currently, he has the second-best WAR (1.6) after fellow outfielder Harrison Bader. Buxton has also blasted nine homers in 2025, chasing his personal-best mark of 28.
It remains to be seen how long Buxton and Correa will be out for. Buxton actually managed to finish the third frame in center field after the collision, but he did not trot out to his position to start the fourth.
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At time of publication, Minnesota leads Baltimore by a score of 4-0 in the eighth inning.