The Minnesota Twins reinstated All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton from the 10-day injured list on Thursday. Buxton immediately returned to the lineup, batting second and playing center field against the Philadelphia Phillies at the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa.
Buxton's return follows a 14-game absence due to a right hip impingement. This marked his second stint on the injured list this season, with his first preventing him from participating in the All-Star Game. He had played in seven games after the All-Star break before being sidelined again.
Despite frequently battling injuries throughout his career, the 32-year-old outfielder showed strong performance before his latest setback. In 82 games this season, Buxton held a.263 batting average with 16 doubles, 25 home runs, 57 runs scored, 45 RBIs and an.864 OPS.
Twins manager Derek Shelton said Buxton looked good. "He looks good. He’s in a good spot," Shelton said. "We’re excited to have him back."
The team was cautious ahead of the game. Heavy rain moved through the Dyersville area earlier in the day, prompting the Twins to be careful with a potentially wet warning track before clearing their franchise player. An off day on Friday, allowing for travel to Minneapolis to play the remainder of the series at Target Field, also provided insurance for the plan.
With less than one-fourth of the regular season remaining, the Twins are in the thick of both the division and wild-card races. Shelton said the team needed to balance Buxton's health with its competitive needs. "We don’t want another setback," Shelton said.
Shelton also said ongoing management was required for Buxton due to his playing style. "With Buck, there’s always going to be management, just because the guy’s a thoroughbred. He’s at top speed all of the time," Shelton said.
Major League Baseball allowed the Twins to add a 27th player for the special site game. This rule meant the team did not have to make a corresponding roster move to accommodate Buxton's activation.
Buxton brought his family to the Field of Dreams site. He played catch on the ballfield, where the 1989 movie was filmed, with his 12-year-old son, Brixton. This moment offered a chance for reflection on his journey from rural Georgia to becoming the second overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Twins.
His professional career began nearby, playing in 2013 for the Twins' Class A affiliate in Cedar Rapids, about an hour’s drive south of Dyersville. This history added a personal layer to his return.
Buxton said the experience of playing at the site was unique. "What Major League Baseball did to make this happen is pretty special," Buxton said. He said the event could be a significant boost for players. "You bring that little kid back into somebody that maybe wasn’t having the best year or things weren't going their way and this could be that spark that could turn that corner to relive that passion for them again."
"It’s a special place for us to be able to play in, for sure," Buxton said. His return is a clear boost for the Twins as they push for a playoff spot, but managing his workload will be a focus for the club down the stretch.
