​The Minnesota Twins have placed All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list due to a right hip strain. Buxton first sustained the issue in May, but he re-aggravated it on July 5 against the New York Yankees while trying to push through the discomfort. The latest setback will sideline him through the All-Star Game, preventing any competition during All-Star weekend.
Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll expressed optimism about Buxton’s recovery, saying he expects the outfielder to be fully healthy and ready for the second half of the Major League Baseball season. Zoll spoke with reporters after the decision to place Buxton on the IL was announced. “Originally, we gave it a few days and we were hoping that that had cleared it up,” Zoll explained. “When the symptoms came back in the game, it wasn’t as severe as before, but it returned. As [manager Derek Shelton and head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta] worked through it with Byron, we considered the risk of a prolonged cycle of discomfort. At this point, the best course is to give it proper down-time to allow it to fully resolve itself so that he isn’t stuck in an in-between state and can feel confident again for a strong second half after the All-Star break.”
For fantasy owners, the news is disappointing. Buxton has been enjoying a standout season, currently batting .275 with 25 home runs and 45 RBIs. He has also scored 57 runs and stolen seven bases, contributing 83 hits in total. Injuries have long been a concern for Buxton, so those following his fantasy performance may have anticipated the possibility of a setback, even if hip injuries can be slow to heal. In Buxton’s absence, Kyler Fedko is expected to step into more regular duty. However, Fedko’s fantasy value remains uncertain. The rookie is batting .000 in 16 career at-bats, with two walks and a run scored, meaning that his elevated role may not translate into immediate fantasy relevance. Unless Fedko seizes the opportunity in a convincing manner, it seems unlikely he’ll become a reliable fantasy option before Buxton returns.
For now, fantasy players should be patient and explore waiver-wire replacements. There is no pressing reason to panic or to pursue a trade at this moment, unless a savvy owner offers significant value for Buxton prior to his return. As Buxton works back to full health, managers can monitor his progress and plan accordingly for the latter half of the season.
This article originated on SI.com’s fantasy section under the headline Byron Buxton Injury Update: Fantasy Baseball Owners Will Get The Twins All-Star Back Healthy… Eventually. It provides ongoing coverage of Buxton’s status and potential fantasy implications as the season progresses.