Byron Buxton makes first on-field batting-practice steps toward return for Twins

Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton took key steps toward a return to action on Monday, beginning a more direct on-field progression following a stint on the injured list for a right hip impingement. Ahead of the Twins’ game against the Baltimore Orioles, Buxton participated in on-field batting practice for the first time since the injury move, part of a plan that also included running the bases for the first time since he was sidelined.

Buxton’s progression matters because it points to a widening set of baseball activities rather than limited work that typically comes earlier in a rehab timeline. On-field batting practice is a meaningful checkpoint for any hitter returning from a hip issue, since it requires stable lower-body mechanics, repeatable movement through the swing, and comfort under load. The fact that the Twins were able to schedule that phase, in addition to base running, suggests the team believes the hip can handle higher-intensity baseball motions.

The day’s work also included what the team described as “key steps” toward return, with Buxton progressing on two separate activity fronts. He ran the bases for the first time since the injury placement, which is often a critical test for any player rehabbing from hip-related ailments, because sprinting and deceleration can expose soreness or mechanical limitations that are less apparent in controlled drills.

The Twins paired Buxton’s first on-field hitting and base-running work with additional activity elsewhere on the field. The same MLB report noted that “Ryan tossed on flat ground,” referring to another player taking a step in his own throwing progression. While the report did not expand on details in the headline framing, it does reinforce that the Twins are actively managing multiple return paths in their day-to-day health plans.

Buxton, who serves as a centerpiece of Minnesota’s outfield defense and a key offensive weapon when fully healthy, has previously been most valuable when he can contribute across the profile the Twins need most. Center field defense, baserunning, and switch-hitting (when applicable to his normal swing plan) require consistent hip function, especially for a player who routinely covers ground and changes direction at game speed. A hip impingement can complicate that combination, which is why a cautious ramp from the injured list tends to take longer than lower-body injuries that only affect straight-line movement.

At this point, the reported progression still reads as a step toward return rather than a guarantee of a specific activation date. Teams usually use these early on-field sessions to monitor how a player responds later in the day and the next morning, including any changes in pain level or mobility. The Twins’ next public checkpoints, particularly whether Buxton can build from batting practice into more complete game readiness, will likely be the clearest indicator of timing.

For Twins fans, the immediate takeaway is straightforward: Minnesota has begun to turn the page on the most limiting phase of Buxton’s rehab, bringing him back onto the field for live baseball routines and base running. The longer view, however, will depend on how the hip holds up through subsequent sessions, and whether the Twins can integrate him into a full workload without setbacks.

The matchup with the Orioles provides an understandable backdrop, because it places Buxton’s rehab progression in the context of a club trying to stay competitive while managing availability. As the Twins continue to navigate health and lineup fluidity, the hope is that Monday’s progress becomes the start of an upward trend that ends with Buxton back in the lineup, contributing in both the run-prevention and run-production parts of Minnesota’s game.