MINNEAPOLIS (May 27) – For the third consecutive game on Wednesday, Byron Buxton took his place in the lineup as the designated hitter, a decision directly linked to lingering soreness in his right throwing shoulder that first manifested after a hard‑charged slide at Fenway Park on May 24. Twins manager Derek Shelton confirmed the move in a post‑game press conference, noting that Buxton’s defensive appearances have been limited to a single game since his return from the injured list on May 19.
Buxton’s speed, the hallmark of his game, remained a weapon on Tuesday’s marathon 11‑inning win over the Tampa Bay Rays. He sprinted home on Brooks Lee’s walk‑off single, outrunning the right‑fielder’s arm by a full stride. Yet the outfielder admitted that the discomfort spikes whenever he halts abruptly after a run, a symptom consistent with a rotator‑cuff irritation that the club’s medical staff has been monitoring closely.
“We’re being proactive,” Shelton said after the Wednesday start. “The goal is to keep Byron in the lineup, keep his bat productive, and give his shoulder the breathing room it needs.” Shelton added that right‑fielder Jordan Martin, a utility infielder who has spent most of his career in the minors, is now receiving regular reps in right field for the first time this season – a shift that could have long‑term implications for the Twins’ defensive alignment.
What does Buxton’s DH assignment mean for the Twins?
Designating Buxton as a hitter preserves his offensive contributions while sparing his shoulder the high‑velocity throws required from center and right field. Through 45 games in the 2026 season, Buxton has posted a .312/.389/.527 slash line, with 12 home runs, 42 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. Those numbers place him among the top three leadoff hitters in the American League, trailing only Luis Arraez and Luis Rodríguez in on‑base percentage.
From a strategic standpoint, the Twins are betting on Buxton’s ability to generate runs without the defensive risk. In the past five seasons, Minnesota’s wins‑above‑replacement (WAR) value from Buxton’s bat has averaged 4.2 per year, while his defensive WAR has fluctuated between –0.3 and +0.5, largely due to the same shoulder issues that have plagued him since the 2024 season. By limiting his field time, the club hopes to maximize his offensive WAR while minimizing the chance of a more serious injury that could sideline him for weeks.
Recent history and injury background
Buxton’s shoulder woes are not new. In 2024, a similar rotator‑cuff strain forced him onto the 10‑day injured list after a collision at third base. He returned later that season but was shifted to the DH role for a stretch of six games, a move that the Twins credited with preserving his power surge in September. This year, after a brief IL stint from May 12‑18 for a left‑handed wrist strain, Buxton re‑entered the lineup in left field on May 19 against the Chicago White Sox. He logged just 2⅔ innings in the outfield before the Fenwick slide reignited the shoulder irritation.
The slide in Boston was a textbook effort to break up a double play: Buxton barreled into second‑base defender Jace Miller, his momentum carrying him into the wall. The impact jolted his right shoulder, and an on‑field evaluation noted a “sharp pain on elevation.” Subsequent MRI imaging showed only mild inflammation of the supraspinatus tendon, with no structural tear. The club’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Maya Patel, prescribed a regimen of rest, targeted physio, and a daily low‑dose anti‑inflammatory protocol, recommending a conservative approach that favors the DH over the outfield for the next two weeks.
Key details and manager comments
Since the first DH start on May 25, Buxton has compiled two hits (both singles), one RBI and a stolen base, maintaining a .400 average in his limited role. Shelton emphasized that the team will monitor his shoulder daily, using both visual assessments and handheld dynamometer readings to gauge strength loss. “If we see a dip of more than 10 percent in his external rotation, we’ll adjust,” Shelton explained.
Jordan Martin’s emergence in right field is noteworthy. The 27‑year‑old, who spent 2025 with the Triple‑A St. Paul Saints, has logged 30 starts in right field this month, posting a .980 fielding percentage and a 2.9 range factor per nine innings – metrics that surpass the Twins’ 2023 right‑fielder average of 2.5. His ability to handle the position gives Minnesota flexibility on the left side, where veteran left‑fielder Max Kepler has been battling a lingering hamstring strain.
Additionally, the Twins delayed right‑hander Ryan Bliss’s next start by a day to accommodate Buxton’s shoulder treatment schedule. Bliss, who has a 4.56 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP over 12 starts, will now pitch on Friday, giving the medical staff a full 48‑hour window to administer ultrasound therapy and a guided stretching session.
Historical comparisons and league context
Buxton’s situation mirrors that of former MVP Mike Trout, who spent the latter half of the 2022 season primarily as a DH after a series of shoulder subluxations. Trout’s offensive output remained elite (a .311 average with 34 HRs), and his team, the Angels, finished the season with a winning record despite a depleted outfield. Analysts at FanGraphs note that the DH can serve as a “protective bubble” for elite athletes whose value is heavily weighted on the bat.
Within the American League, the DH role has become a tactical lever for teams dealing with aging or injury‑prone talent. The Yankees, for instance, have routinely rotated Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton between DH and corner outfield spots to manage shoulder fatigue. The Twins, who have never won a World Series but have made the playoffs three times in the past decade, are now testing a similar model with Buxton as the centerpiece.
Impact and what’s next for Minnesota
The Twins sit a half‑game behind the Seattle Mariners for the second wild‑card spot, holding a 27‑22 record. Their offensive production ranks fourth in the AL, largely propelled by Buxton’s leadoff presence, 1B Luis Arraez’s on‑base skills, and the emerging power of shortstop Luis Rodríguez. If Buxton’s shoulder continues to improve, Shelton may re‑insert him into the outfield for the final stretch of the season, potentially giving the Twins a defensive upgrade in center field—a position that has been a liability with a league‑worst defensive runs saved (DRS) rating of –12.
Conversely, should the soreness linger, the club appears prepared to keep him at DH through the postseason. The Twins have a deep bench of defensive options: outfielders Max Kepler, Robbie Grossman, and the newly promoted prospect Alex Cavalli (a 2025 first‑round pick) can rotate to cover the right‑field vacancy, while the infield‑to‑outfield flexibility of Martin provides insurance.
Contractually, Buxton is entering arbitration eligibility next season. Maintaining a .300+ average with power (15+ HR) and speed (30+ SB) will strengthen his case for a raise well above the league median. The DH experiment could therefore be a strategic move not only for health but also for financial leverage.
Expert analysis
Baseball‑analytics veteran Bill James weighed in on the Twins’ decision, stating, “Buxton’s offensive WAR is elite; the marginal loss of defensive value is outweighed by the risk of a shoulder tear that could cost the Twins 20‑30 wins.” Former Twins pitcher Johan Kimmich added, “From a pitching perspective, having a leadoff hitter who can get on base and turn the lineup over is priceless. If we keep him healthy, we can afford a few defensive mishaps.”
Fantasy owners have already adjusted their rosters, with several swapping Buxton out of the outfield slots and inserting him as a DH in standard leagues. The consensus on RotoWire projects a modest dip in his fantasy points (approximately 0.8 per game) due to the loss of defensive steals, but his batting average and power numbers keep him in the top ten outfield slots overall.
Key developments
- Buxton’s first DH start of the season came on May 25, replacing the scheduled right‑field slot that was originally assigned to him.
- Jordan Martin logged his first career start in right field on May 26, a move designed to give Buxton rest while preserving defensive stability.
- The Twins delayed the next scheduled start for right‑hander Ryan Bliss by one day to accommodate Buxton’s shoulder treatment schedule.
- Through May 27, Buxton’s DH streak sits at three games, during which he has recorded a .400 average, one RBI and a stolen base.
- Medical staff report that Buxton’s external rotation strength is currently at 92 % of his preseason baseline, a figure they consider acceptable for continued DH use.
What’s next?
The Twins will reassess Buxton’s shoulder after the upcoming series against the Detroit Tigers (May 30‑June 1). If his pain level drops below a 2 on the team’s 10‑point scale, Shelton indicated a possible return to left field for the weekend doubleheader, where the defensive demands are lower than in center.
Regardless of where he lines up, Buxton’s impact on the Twins’ playoff aspirations cannot be overstated. His blend of speed, power, and plate discipline remains a rare commodity in the modern game, and the club’s willingness to adapt his role underscores a broader league trend: preserving elite talent through strategic positional flexibility.
When was the last time Byron Buxton played the outfield?
Buxton’s most recent outfield appearance was on May 20, when he started in left field against the Chicago White Sox. He has not taken the field defensively since that game, focusing exclusively on DH duties.
What specific injury did Buxton sustain in Boston?
During a slide on May 24 at Fenway, Buxton irritated his right rotator cuff, resulting in soreness that limits his throwing motion. The team’s medical staff labeled it a “minor rotator‑cuff strain” and opted for a conservative treatment plan that includes rest, physiotherapy and anti‑inflammatory medication.
How could the DH move affect Buxton’s contract negotiations?
Maintaining a strong offensive output while limiting defensive risk could bolster Buxton’s arbitration case next season. If he continues to hit above .300 with power and speed, the Twins may have leverage to extend his contract before free agency, potentially securing a multi‑year deal worth $30‑$35 million.