Twins provide update on Buxton following scary collision

Chicago White Sox second baseman Lenyn Sosa (50) tags out Minnesota Twins designated hitter Byron Buxton (25) as they collide on a force play in the seventh inning at Target Field. Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Twins provide update on Byron Buxton following scary collision at second base

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/12/23

Minnesota Twins All-Star Byron Buxton exited Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Chicago White Sox following a scary collision with second baseman Lenyn Sosa. After the game, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli provided an encouraging update on Buxton's status.

Baldelli confirmed that Buxton would travel with the team for their upcoming series with the New York Yankees, adding that the team will re-evaluate the All-Star on Thursday.

"His leg got hit pretty good. He flipped. He hit his head," Baldelli told reporters via Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. "There was a whole lot going on there."

In the bottom of the seventh, aboard after a single, Buxton was on the move after a ground ball to second by Gordon. Sosa charged the grounder, cutting in front of Buxton before the two collided. Buxton appeared to trip on Sosa's leg before spiraling over him, landing hard on his head.

Noooo Buxton down after an ugly collision pic.twitter.com/ykyWzAlrK3
— Paul Sporer (@sporer) April 12, 2023

No stranger to injuries, Buxton didn't blame Sosa for the unfortunate incident while speaking with reporters after the game.

"By no means do I fault anybody," Buxton said via Dan Hayes of The Athletic. "He was going for the ball and I was trying to get to the base. It's baseball. It's part of it."

Talent has never been the issue with Buxton, whose injury struggles are well-known. Buxton played in 92 games in 2022, his most since 2019, when he played in 87 contests for the Twins.

The 29-year-old is off to a solid start to the 2023 season, recording two home runs and five RBI while slashing .302/.333/.512 over 11 games.

On Tuesday, Buxton hit career home run No. 100. After hitting 51 homers over his first six seasons in the Majors, Buxton has hit 49 longballs since 2021.