Twins await word on severity of CF Byron Buxton's shoulder injury

Field Level Media|published: Sat 6th June, 02:17 2026

Jun 5, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) catches a fly ball hit by Kansas City Royals designated hitter Carter Jensen (22) and is injured on the play in the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins will reassess center fielder Byron Buxton on Saturday after he exited the team's Friday game due to a right shoulder contusion.

Buxton left a half-inning after crashing into the outfield wall while making a leaping catch.

"I think we'll see how he is tomorrow," Minnesota manager Derek Shelton said after the Twins' 5-3 win over the Kansas City Royals in Minneapolis. "That's the biggest thing. The fact that he jammed the same shoulder that he had the issue with before, there's always concern there. But how he comes in tomorrow, I think, will be a good indicator."

Buxton chased down a long drive to straightaway center by Carter Jensen leading off the third inning, making a backhanded grab before going face-first into the padded wall. Buxton went down in obvious discomfort, but after a visit from the Twins' training staff, he remained in the game.

When his at-bat came around in the bottom of the inning, though, Buxton was removed for pinch hitter Tristan Gray.

A two-time All-Star and a Platinum Glove winner, Buxton is batting .257 with a team-leading 18 homers along with 28 RBIs in 55 games this season.

Buxton, 32, is a career .248 hitter with 188 homers and 464 RBIs in 953 games, all with the Twins.

--Field Level Media

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