MINNEAPOLIS -- Byron Buxton was removed from the Twins’ 3-2 win over the Royals on Tuesday night due to right hip soreness, and his status for the coming days is uncertain.
It’s the same joint that has been bothering Buxton on and off since May, and that caused him to miss the All-Star Game earlier this month. He spent two weeks on the injured list, with the hope being that he could knock out the condition for good and play unhindered for the remainder of the season.
However, it appears that the issue has resurfaced, just as the Twins have heated up again following a brief slump after the All-Star break.
“It’s just a re-aggravation of the hip,” manager Derek Shelton said. “In the second at-bat, he felt it. I think you could see it in the second at-bat, the ball he made contact with just didn’t look right. He came in. [Head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta] talked to him. We’re dealing with a hip that sometimes flares up. Going into the game today, he felt fine. So we’ll see the doctor, get it reevaluated, and go from there.”
Buxton, 32, has been the Twins’ best player this year, posting a .263/.320/.544 line with 25 homers and seven steals. However, he had been less productive since returning from the IL, going 4-for-25 in seven games.
Luke Keaschall moved into center field when Buxton came out of the game and likely would see the bulk of the time there if Buxton is out for a while.