Buxton sits again as Twins keep a day-to-day approach to right-hip impingement

Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton was not in the starting lineup on Friday, marking his fourth consecutive game sidelined as he manages a right hip impingement. The decision keeps him out while the Twins take a practical, day-to-day approach rather than forcing his return on schedule.

Before Friday’s series opener at Yankee Stadium, Twins manager Derek Shelton indicated that the team would see how Buxton progressed “from there,” with an off day Thursday helping his work leading into the weekend. MLB’s report also framed the current stage of the process as a readiness test, with updates coming after Buxton “goes through his day.”

Buxton’s injury history in this stretch underscores that the discomfort is not entirely new. He previously missed five games in mid-May due to similar hip trouble that flared when he was running. This time, Minnesota tied the present setback to a change in his swing mechanics, noting that Buxton underwent an MRI after his bat work felt off during the team’s most recent series against the Rockies.

Speaking earlier this week in Houston, Buxton described what his body was doing in response to the issue, saying he believed he was not rotating through the body and that his system was “protecting itself.” That explanation aligns with the Twins’ cautious posture, because hip impingement concerns can be harder to manage through rest alone if a player tries to push through mechanics-related pain.

While Buxton stays out of the lineup, the Twins have leaned on the same center-field option again, with utilityman Ryan Kreidler starting in his place. The lineup shift is significant beyond the fielding role, because it changes Minnesota’s everyday configuration, particularly how the team balances speed, defense, and extra-base threat over multiple spots.

The Twins’ offense has provided a cushion during Buxton’s absence. MLB noted that Minnesota scored 17 runs across its three-game series against the Astros with Buxton sidelined, and the team’s season run rate heading into this stretch sits among the league’s best. That production matters because it reduces the urgency to rush a player back at the cost of worsening an issue that could linger if the hip is not fully calmed.

Buxton’s production profile also sets the stakes for when he returns. Through 73 games, he entered Friday hitting.268/.325/.573 with 25 home runs and an.898 OPS, leaving him positioned as a strong candidate for his third All-Star selection and potentially a second start. The next practical checkpoint is how he performs during day-to-day testing, which will shape whether Kreidler continues to hold the center-field spot or Buxton can resume his regular role soon.