Byron Buxton return still uncertain, Twins eye active-roster boost for Field of Dreams game in Iowa

Byron Buxton’s next step back to the Twins could come sooner than expected, with the club considering whether to activate him for Thursday’s MLB game at the Field of Dreams site in Iowa. The decision is still in flux, but a return to the active roster has become a live possibility, according to the team’s latest update.

Buxton has been out since July 28 as he works to move past a nagging right hip injury. The timing matters for Minnesota because a healthy center fielder gives the Twins a more complete defensive setup and adds speed and range to a lineup that often leans on dynamic outfield play.

The Field of Dreams game adds another layer of significance. MLB stages the event as a marquee, atmosphere-driven contest that draws extra attention to every lineup decision, including late-season roster management. For the Twins, activating Buxton, if he is cleared in time, would be both a tactical move and a public statement of confidence in his readiness.

Even with the optimism around a potential return, the club is treating it as conditional. The language of “not a done deal yet” reflects the reality of hip injuries and the standard day-to-day evaluation that determines whether a player can handle game intensity, sprinting demands, and the single-game risk profile.

Minnesota’s broader challenge is balancing urgency with caution as it navigates the final stretch of the season. If Buxton cannot go, the Twins will continue relying on whoever fills the center-field responsibilities and the supporting outfield alignment around that choice. If he does play, it reshapes the look of the team defensively and can alter how the Twins build innings, particularly late when outfield coverage becomes a bigger factor.

For fans, the most practical watch item is whether Buxton is formally added to the active roster ahead of the Field of Dreams first pitch. The next confirmation, along with whether he is used immediately and how he’s deployed in the outfield, will be the clearest indicators of how close he is to fully regaining his typical workload.

Until the Twins make their final roster call, Buxton’s return remains a “could be” rather than a guarantee, but the fact that Minnesota is even considering it is a meaningful development after nearly two-plus weeks sidelined with the right hip issue.