Twins Reveal Byron Buxton Playing Status Plans

When Byron Buxton hurt his knee a month ago, he was able to return in less than a week. But that knee wasn't done giving him trouble. He's been battling it ever since, and now the Minnesota Twins have revealed a plan to attempt to "load manage", if you will, Buxton and his knee going forward. He will not be playing every day... for now at least.

It comes down to this: Buxton is still playing through knee issues. They'll be measured with his usage until it's healed.

Having Buxton playing some of the time is clearly better than not at all. They feel they can manage that without pushing too hard and risking longer absence. https://t.co/9TIaZpgopQ

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) May 15, 2022

According to manager Rocco Baldelli, the knee is "the type of thing you cannot play through and play every day. It's not something that's possible right now. But we think with the plan we have, this is what's going to allow him to get back to full strength or close to full strength where he can play almost every day." 

As noted by Twins beat writer Do-Hyoung Park, some Buxton is clearly better than no Buxton at all. Take today's game for instance. The oft-injured 28-year-old was back in the lineup, leading off, and belted his 11th homer despite playing only 23 games thus far. 

He will continue to need days off to give the troublesome knee a break, as Baldelli says, and "I hope this isn't what we have to do the whole year. It's not what Buck wants to do the whole year, I'll tell you right now. But for right now, it's what we have to do."

Buxton is a superstar 5-tool talent, but has not been able to stay healthy throughout his 8-year career. He hasn't played more than 87 games in a season since 2017.

Currently, he's batting .262 with 11 HR, 19 RBIs and a robust 1.047 OPS.

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports