Twins put Byron Buxton back on 10-day IL with right hip impingement

Minnesota has placed center fielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list again, the Twins announced Monday, citing a right hip impingement. The move keeps Buxton out of action while the team manages what it describes as an issue that has resurfaced after a prior stint on the injured list earlier this season.

The hip ailment is the same general problem that forced him to the IL last month, according to the report. Buxton’s placement marks the third time this season he has gone on the injured list, a particularly sensitive reality for a Twins club that has leaned on his ability to cover ground in center and provide a steady presence in the middle of the lineup when he is available.

To fill the corresponding vacancy on the active roster, Minnesota recalled outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez from Triple-A St. Paul. The transaction is designed to keep the team’s outfield depth balanced while Buxton remains sidelined.

Buxton’s return timeline now hinges on the 10-day designation and how quickly the hip responds to treatment and baseball activity. Because hip impingement can be cyclical, the Twins will likely be cautious about reintroducing him to full workloads, particularly if the team is trying to maintain consistency down the stretch.

For Gonzalez, the move is a direct shot at a larger role, even if it is framed initially as depth. The Twins’ need in center field can shift quickly, and recalls that happen “in correspondence” are often meant to ensure there is no prolonged gap in outfield coverage if additional day-to-day issues emerge.

More broadly, an IL placement like this can force managers to adjust responsibilities across the outfield. Even when a substitute is prepared, the ripple effect is not limited to one position, because it can influence defensive matchups, late-inning substitutions, and how the club staggers playing time for multiple hitters.

The next practical question is whether Buxton’s hip issue settles quickly this time, or whether Minnesota’s medical staff will need to extend the team’s absence beyond the minimum IL window. For now, the Twins will be watching his progression closely while working Gonzalez into their weekly game plan.

If the Twins continue to juggle outfield availability, it also raises pressure points for other roster spots, since every additional health setback tightens the margin for error. Monday’s move is therefore about more than one player’s timetable, it is also a stress test of the organization’s depth and readiness to adapt on short notice.