Minnesota Twins place All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton on injured list, activate starting catcher Ryan Jeffers from paternity list
The Twins have placed Buxton on the 10-day IL (retroactive to July 27) with left rib cage inflammation three days after he was removed from a game with discomfort, according to the Twins' transaction log. Minnesota activated Jeffers, who is hitting .254/.346/.399 with seven homers and 34 RBIs this season, from the paternity list as a corresponding move.
The team tried its best to keep Buxton, 31, off the injured list before ultimately deciding to keep him sidelined for about another week. Buxton has been Minnesota’s best offensive player this season, as he leads hitters in bWAR with 3.9. He is slashing .282/.343/.561 (143 OPS+) with 23 home runs, 14 doubles, four triples and 59 RBIs this year.
Buxton’s absence will give playing opportunities to other Twins who otherwise would not have the chance to play as much, especially when Harrison Bader is expected to be traded to a playoff contender before Thursday’s 5 p.m. CT trade deadline. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. already started in center field yesterday, and Mickey Gasper, who was called up when Jeffers was placed on the paternity list, is staying on the roster because of Buxton’s injury.
Surprisingly, Buxton has only landed on the injured list two times this season. The Twins placed him on the IL for the first time this year on May 17. He has already matched the number of games he played in 2023, and has surpassed the number he played in 2018 and 2021. Additionally, barring a more serious injury, he is on track to set a personal record for most games played in a season since he played 140 in 2017.
Minnesota Twins aim to win series against Boston Red Sox
Game 2 of the Twins’ three-game set against the Red Sox is scheduled to start at 6:40 p.m. CT on Tuesday. Righty Lucas Giolito is expected to make the start on the mound for Boston, and the Twins have yet to announce their starter, but are expected to utilize the bullpen for the entirety of the game.