The Minnesota Twins placed outfielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list Tuesday as he continues to suffer from inflammation in his left ribcage. This move came after Twins manager Rocco Baldelli previously indicated Buxton would not require time on the injured list.
Buxton’s Recent Injury History and Performance Overview
Buxton, 31, left Saturday’s 9-3 loss against the Washington Nationals because of soreness on the left side of his torso. He missed the following two games before being officially moved to the injured list retroactive to Sunday. Despite a history of injury challenges, the two-time All-Star has mostly been healthy this season aside from a concussion-related absence in May.
Through 85 games this year, Buxton is batting .282 with 23 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases. His offensive metrics include a .343 on-base percentage, a .561 slugging percentage, and a .905 OPS. Since joining the Twins in 2015, he has compiled a .249 batting average with 156 homers and 412 RBIs over 857 games.
Roster Changes Accompanying Buxton’s Injury Update
Alongside Buxton’s injured list placement, catcher Ryan Jeffers was activated from the paternity list. Jeffers, 28, has a .254 batting average this season with seven home runs and 34 RBIs across 83 games. Additionally, Minnesota selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Pierson Ohl from Triple-A St. Paul.
Ohl, 25, has yet to debut in Major League Baseball. This season, he has appeared in 22 games, including five starts, across three minor league levels: Class-A Fort Myers, Double-A Wichita, and Triple-A St. Paul. Ohl holds a 5-2 record with a 2.17 ERA and two saves, striking out 79 batters while issuing 10 walks.
Implications of Buxton’s Injury for the Twins
Buxton’s placement on the injured list may impact the Twins’ outfield depth and offensive production as they navigate the early portion of the season. The addition of Pierson Ohl provides potential pitching support from the minors, while the return of Ryan Jeffers strengthens the catching position. The Twins will monitor Buxton’s recovery closely before determining his return timeline.