The Minnesota Twins will once again be without one of their most important players as Byron Buxton remained out of the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs, extending his absence while he continues recovering from a right hip strain.
Although the Twins have managed to stay competitive during Buxton’s time on the injured list, his continued absence remains a major concern for a club fighting to stay in the American League postseason race. Minnesota entered Sunday’s matchup with a 49-50 record, still firmly within striking distance despite facing mounting pressure in a tightly contested playoff picture.
The Twins sit three games behind the co-leading Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central while trailing by only one game for the final AL Wild Card spot, leaving little room for error as the second half of the season gains momentum.
Buxton Continues Rehab but Return Date Remains Unclear
Buxton was placed on the injured list on July 7 after suffering a right hip strain, and while he has continued participating in baseball activities during the team’s road trip to Chicago, Minnesota has not yet cleared him to return to game action.
The organization is taking a cautious approach with its star center fielder, hoping to ensure he is fully healthy before rejoining the lineup for what could become a critical stretch of games.
Even without Buxton, the Twins have remained resilient, winning seven of their last 10 contests and keeping themselves firmly in the postseason conversation. Still, there is little doubt that the lineup has lacked the explosive power, speed, and veteran leadership that Buxton consistently provides.
Twins Turn to Luke Keaschall in Center Field
With Buxton unavailable, rookie Luke Keaschall once again drew the start in center field as Minnesota prepared to face Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga, who entered the game with a 5-8 record and a 4.17 ERA.
The Twins countered with promising right-hander Zebby Matthews, who has gone 4-6 with a 4.57 ERA this season as he continues gaining valuable major league experience.
Minnesota’s lineup leaned heavily toward right-handed hitters in an effort to capitalize on the matchup against the left-handed Imanaga.
Keaschall has delivered respectable production in an expanded role this season, batting .263 with a .351 on-base percentage and a .353 slugging percentage, while adding four home runs and 28 RBIs across 93 games.
Although those numbers represent solid contributions from a young outfielder, they fall well short of the impact Buxton has provided when healthy.
Twins Missing One of Baseball’s Most Dynamic Players
Before landing on the injured list, Buxton was enjoying another outstanding offensive campaign.
The veteran was batting .271/.328/.575 with 25 home runs and 45 RBIs through just 75 games, once again demonstrating why he remains one of the most dangerous power hitters at his position despite battling injuries throughout his career.
Beyond his impressive numbers this season, Buxton has established himself as one of the franchise’s cornerstone players. He has launched 191 career home runs, recorded at least 20 home runs in three of the last five seasons, and reached double-digit home run totals in 10 different campaigns.
His all-around excellence has earned him numerous accolades, including an American League Silver Slugger Award, Gold Glove, Platinum Glove, and three All-Star selections.
Trade Speculation Continues, But Twins Value Buxton’s Presence
Buxton’s talent has frequently made him the subject of trade speculation, particularly as contenders search for impact players ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
At 32 years old, the veteran still has two seasons remaining on his seven-year, $100 million contract, making him an attractive option for teams seeking a proven two-way contributor capable of changing games with both his bat and elite defense.
However, with Minnesota remaining firmly in playoff contention, the Twins appear far more interested in keeping Buxton than moving him. His value to the club extends well beyond statistics, providing leadership, defensive excellence, and middle-of-the-order power that few players can replicate.
Buxton also possesses a full no-trade clause and has repeatedly expressed his desire to spend the remainder of his career in Minnesota, further reducing the likelihood of any deadline deal.
For now, the Twins’ immediate priority remains getting their All-Star center fielder healthy. As the playoff race intensifies over the coming weeks, Buxton’s eventual return could prove to be one of Minnesota’s biggest additions for the stretch run without making a single trade.
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