Byron Buxton DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Minnesota Twins announced on Friday that they reinstated outfielder Byron Buxton (concussion) from the seven-day concussion injured list and optioned outfielder Carson McCusker to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. The Twins haven't announced their starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Seattle against the Mariners, but Buxton should be back in there, at least as the designated hitter. The 31-year-old veteran will return for the first time since colliding with teammate Carlos Correa and suffering a concussion on May 15. Fantasy managers will want to get him back into their starting lineups with the ability to contribute in all categories. Buxton will be returning to a .261 average (41-for-157) with 10 long balls, 27 RBI, 33 runs scored and eight stolen bases. The former first-rounder is as injury-prone as they come, but he played in over 100 games for the second time in his career in 2024.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (concussion) is expected to return from the seven-day concussion injured list for the team's series opener on Friday against the Mariners in Seattle. Buxton continues to do baseball activities and took batting practice on Wednesday. The 31-year-old veteran should clear the league's concussion protocol and be able to play this weekend after colliding with teammate Carlos Correa in the outfield on May 15 against the Baltimore Orioles. His return will push Harrison Bader (finger) back to a corner-outfield role when he's able to return from a nagging finger injury. In 41 games so far in 2025, Buxton has slashed .261/.312/.522 with an .834 OPS, 10 home runs, five doubles, three triples, 27 RBI, 33 runs scored and eight stolen bases. He's extremely injury-prone, but is worth rostering in all fantasy formats for his power and speed contributions.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (concussion) took on-field batting practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Wednesday before the team's series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale. If Buxton continues to progress well, he could rejoin the big-league roster for the upcoming series in Seattle against the Mariners that starts on Friday. The 31-year-old veteran also ran the base and did outfield drills before Monday's game in Tampa and appears close to returning from the seven-day concussion injured list. Buxton collided with teammate Carlos Correa back on May 15 and has been sidelined ever since. It doesn't look like he'll require a minor-league rehab assignment, though. Buxton has been very injury-prone in his career but can contribute in all fantasy categories when healthy.