NEW YORK -- Twins center fielder Byron Buxton left Sunday’s game against the Yankees after the top of the first inning with a reaggravation of an existing right hip injury.
Buxton missed four consecutive games earlier this week with a right hip impingement before returning to the lineup on Saturday.
In his first at-bat on Sunday, Buxton reached on an infield single when Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers could not field his comebacker cleanly, moving Austin Martin to third. Then, on a full-count pitch to No. 3 hitter Kody Clemens, Buxton attempted to steal second base. Clemens swung and missed, and Buxton was caught stealing to complete the double play. It was the first time that Buxton was caught stealing since May 1, 2024.
When the Twins took the field for the bottom of the first inning, Buxton did not come out to center field. Rookie outfielder Kyler Fedko took his place.
Buxton has managed a nagging right hip issue for a while, but the discomfort crescendoed during last weekend’s series against the Rockies. Buxton’s swing felt off -- the pain impacted his ability to rotate -- prompting an MRI that revealed the impingement.
After a productive off-day on Thursday, Buxton participated in a full slate of baseball activities late Friday afternoon. He passed every test, clearing the way for a return to the lineup on Saturday. Back in the No. 2 hole, Buxton looked like himself, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs and playing all nine innings in center field in his first game action since June 28.
Previously, Buxton missed five games in mid-May with hip discomfort that affected him while running and, specifically, stopping.
Buxton, 32, is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career with a .271/.328/.575 slash line and 25 home runs through 75 games. He was named to his third career American League All-Star team on Saturday as a starting outfielder.