The Minnesota Twins are placing star center fielder Byron Buxton on the injured list and recalling outfielder Alan Roden, according to The Athletic's Dan Hayes. Buxton exited Sunday's win against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the first inning after aggravating a hip issue while being caught stealing.
It's obviously a huge blow to lose Buxton, who has hit .271/.328/.575 (146 wRC+) with 25 home runs over 75 games so far in 2026. On the bright side, Roden earned a well-deserved promotion because of Buxton landing on the IL.
Roden, whom the Twins acquired along with left-hander Kendry Rojas from the Toronto Blue Jays for right-hander Louis Varland last summer, has had an outstanding season with Triple-A St. Paul, slashing .272/.397/.512 (135 wRC+) with eight home runs and 24 RBI. The outfielder has appeared in just 38 games this year due to a shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for nearly two months, but he's been healthy since mid-June.
Roden, 26, made his MLB debut with Toronto before being dealt to Minnesota. He began his tenure with the Twins organization in the majors but landed on the IL on Aug. 15 with a left thumb sprain, which kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season. In 55 games with Minnesota and Toronto last year, Roden posted a poor .191/.261/.294 (56 wRC+) slash line, but excelled defensively in left field with +3 Defensive Runs Saved and +2 Outs Above Average over 279 2/3 innings at the position.
Roden's stats in right field weren't great, however, as he recorded -2 DRS and 0 OAA in 62 innings there last year. He also logged 15 1/3 innings in center field, with 0 DRS and 0 OAA.
Roden has played all three outfield positions with the Saints this year. There's a good chance he'll get plenty of reps in center for the Twins while Buxton is out.
Twins' Byron Buxton won't play in All-Star Game after all
Buxton, 32, had been voted into this year's All-Star Game as a starter, but it appears he will no longer play in the Midsummer Classic. The All-Star break will run from July 13 to 16, so hopefully Buxton will be reinstated after the break when Minnesota begins a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The All-Star Game will take place in one week from today, so there's essentially no chance Buxton will play. Even if he's just going to be on the 10-day IL and be ready to return as soon as the 10 days pass, he won't be reinstated in time to participate in the Midsummer Classic.
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