Byron Buxton Exits Twins' 10-4 Win Over Rays After 91.6 MPH Hit-By-Pitch

All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton left Friday's 10-4 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays after being struck by a pitch in the seventh inning.

The Minnesota Twins secured a 10-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Friday's home opener, but the win was tempered by the departure of All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton. During the bottom of the seventh inning, Buxton was struck by a 91.6 mph fastball delivered by Rays reliever Kevin Kelly. The impact resulted in a right forearm contusion, forcing the veteran outfielder to leave the game immediately. Before the incident, Buxton had gone 0-for-3 at the plate with one strikeout recorded against Tampa Bay pitching.

X-Ray Results Confirm No Fracture

Following his exit to the dugout, the Twins medical staff performed diagnostic testing on the injured limb. The team officially announced that X-rays on Buxton’s right forearm returned negative, showing no signs of a fracture. This development provides a positive outlook for the Minnesota roster, as the All-Star avoided a long-term bone injury despite the high velocity of the Kevin Kelly pitch. James Outman entered the lineup as the replacement for the remainder of the contest to help secure the six-run margin of victory.

Buxton Provides Post-Game Update

Addressing the media after the 10-4 result, Buxton expressed optimism regarding his physical status. According to MLB.com, the outfielder dismissed major concerns regarding the hit-by-pitch. "It's an arm," Buxton told reporters in the clubhouse. "It ain't broken, so I'm good." His self-assessment aligns with the team's medical findings, suggesting that the primary issue remains the bruising caused by the 91.6 mph impact during the seventh-inning plate appearance.

Impact on the Twins Home Opener

The Minnesota Twins offense generated 10 runs to overwhelm the Tampa Bay Rays' four-run effort, marking a successful start to the home schedule. While Buxton struggled to find a hit in his three official at-bats, the team's overall performance ensured a win despite losing their starting center fielder late in the game. The incident occurred specifically during a relief appearance by Kelly, who was part of the Rays' pitching staff tasked with containing the Twins' bats. The Associated Press contributed details to the reporting of this American League matchup.

Monitoring the recovery of the right forearm will be a priority for the Twins as they move past this home-opening victory. The absence of a fracture allows the club to manage the contusion as a day-to-day recovery process rather than a stint on the injured list for a broken bone. Buxton’s early exit remains the primary health concern for a Minnesota team that displayed significant offensive depth by scoring double-digit runs against their Florida-based opponents.