Minnesota Twins star Byron Buxton recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in an effort to alleviate the irritation associated with patellar tendinitis and make a successful return to center field next season. The team’s president of baseball operations, Derek Falvey, expressed that this is Buxton’s primary focus and the organization shares the same objective. Throughout the offseason, their mission will be to work towards achieving this goal.
Falvey provided insights on Buxton’s recovery timeline, stating that it is expected to be significantly shorter than the one following the cleanup procedure on the same knee last year. He expressed hope that within a few weeks, Buxton will be able to resume physical therapy and get back into motion. The organization remains optimistic that this surgery will help Buxton get back on track, acknowledging that he experienced a challenging physical season. Despite their best efforts to support him throughout the year, Buxton was unable to perform at his desired level due to ongoing knee issues.
The Minnesota Twins had been cautious with Buxton during spring training, slowly introducing him to the lineup as the designated hitter. Unfortunately, his knee did not sufficiently improve to the point where the team felt comfortable utilizing him in the outfield. His last appearance was on August 1, when a strained right hamstring forced him to the sidelines. However, during the AL Division Series against the Houston Astros, Buxton was added to the roster as an injury replacement for first baseman Alex Kirilloff. He made a pinch-hit appearance in Game 4, but the Twins ultimately lost.
This latest setback adds to the list of injuries Buxton has endured throughout his career. Turning 30 years old on November 29, he still has five years remaining on the $100 million contract he signed before the 2022 season. Buxton, who was selected as the second overall pick in the 2012 amateur draft, made his major league debut in 2015 but has struggled to complete a full season without landing on the injured list. His longest stretch of consecutive games played was in 2017 when he participated in 140 games, earning a Gold Glove award for his outstanding defensive performance. Contrastingly, he has only surpassed 92 games in a season once throughout his career.
During the 2023 season, Buxton played in 85 games and faced considerable challenges at the plate, finishing with a batting average of .207. Despite his struggles, he managed to hit 17 home runs and drive in 42 RBIs. While his offensive performance was not up to par, the focus on his recovery and return to center field remains paramount for the Twins.
In addition to Buxton’s surgery, the Twins revealed that first baseman Alex Kirilloff is scheduled for surgery on October 24 to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing (right) shoulder. Kirilloff was sidelined from July 30 to September 7 but managed to rehabilitate himself enough to return to the field. Unfortunately, the pain worsened during the postseason, leading to his eventual shutdown.
Byron Buxton’s recent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee aims to alleviate patellar tendinitis and get him back into center field next season. The recovery timeline is anticipated to be shorter than previous procedures, providing optimism for a smoother rehabilitation process. Throughout his career, Buxton has struggled with injuries, making it difficult for him to complete a full season. Nonetheless, the Twins remain committed to supporting his recovery and return to form. With the additional news of Alex Kirilloff’s upcoming shoulder surgery, the team faces multiple setbacks heading into the offseason.
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