Twins Place Byron Buxton on 10-Day IL with Right Hip Impingement

Outfielder Byron Buxton moves to the 10-day injured list as the Minnesota Twins recall Gabriel Gonzalez from Triple-A St. Paul.

The Minnesota Twins officially placed outfielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list this Sunday, citing a right hip impingement. This roster move occurred prior to the team's scheduled game against the Chicago White Sox. Buxton, a three-time All-Star, has been sidelined for the previous three contests after aggravating the hip while pursuing a ball in the gap during Tuesday’s matchup against the Athletics. Through 93 games this season, the 12-year veteran has maintained a .254 batting average, tallying 25 home runs and 46 RBIs.

This transaction marks Buxton’s third stint on the injured list for hip-related issues during the current campaign. Before this setback, the outfielder was positioned to reach the 100-game milestone for the third consecutive year, a feat he has achieved only four times in his professional career. Manager Derek Shelton noted that the injury has lingered for much of the season and confirmed that the player’s condition has not improved recently. General manager Jeremy Zoll indicated earlier this week that surgical intervention remains a potential option for the outfielder.

Roster Adjustments and Prospect Call-ups

In a corresponding move, the Twins promoted 22-year-old outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez from Triple-A St. Paul. Gonzalez arrives for his second stint with the major league club this year after debuting on May 22. In his lone MLB appearance earlier this season, he recorded one hit and two walks. During his time with St. Paul, Gonzalez appeared in 106 games, slashing .254 with 15 home runs and 51 RBIs.

Minnesota’s outfield depth has seen significant shifts recently, as the organization also called up top prospect Walker Jenkins earlier this week. Jenkins, a 21-year-old outfielder, currently holds the 12th overall spot on ESPN’s top 100 MLB prospect rankings for 2026. These moves aim to bolster the lineup as the team navigates the absence of their primary center fielder.

Managerial Outlook on Buxton's Return

Derek Shelton addressed the media regarding the timeline for Buxton’s recovery, stating that the current objective is to have the outfielder return to the field before the conclusion of the year. "Our plan right now is to continue to work for him to be back this year," Shelton remarked. The manager emphasized that the team would adjust their strategy if the situation changed, but currently, both the organization and Buxton are focused on a late-season comeback.

Shelton further explained that the decision to move Buxton to the injured list followed a period of day-to-day evaluation. The coaching staff monitored how the hip felt following the incident against the Athletics, but the lack of progress necessitated the 10-day designation. The team will continue to evaluate the necessity of surgery as the season progresses, depending on how the hip responds to the current treatment plan.