Byron Buxton's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (back) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second in the team's Grapefruit League game on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers. Buxton was scratched from the spring lineup on Monday due to back tightness, but it turned out to be a minor issue, which is great news for the oft-injured 30-year-old outfielder. Buxton wasn't able to play a single game in center field in 2023 for Minnesota due to a knee injury that eventually required surgery. His knee is healthy this spring, though, and he's hit one home run and has a 1.074 OPS in Grapefruit League play. The power/speed combination has always been tantalizing with Buxton, but his inability to stay on the field trumps any of the offensive skills he has these days.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (back) was scratched from Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox due to lower-back tightness on his right side, according to the team. It's unclear exactly how serious Buxton's back injury is, but given his lengthy injury history, we shouldn't be surprised if it ends up being something that causes him to start the 2024 season on the injured list. The oft-injured 30-year-old was unable to play a single game in the outfield for Minnesota last year due to a knee injury that required offseason surgery. Buxton played in only 85 games in 2023 and hit a weak .207 (63-for-304) but also hit 17 home runs and drove in 42. He has played in over 100 games just one in nine big-league seasons, so Buxton's inability to stay on the field now far outweighs his actual power/speed capabilities.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) is playing center field on Tuesday in the Grapefruit League game against the Philadelphia Phillies for the first time since Aug. 22 of 2022. He's also hitting second in the batting order. Injuries have been the story of Buxton's career to this point, despite all of power/speed talent. The 30-year-old needed surgery on his knee last October but said he's been feeling great so far this spring and plans to be the team's full-time center fielder in 2024. After making his first All-Star team in 2022, Buxton only played in 85 games last year and hit a weak .207 (63-for-304), but he also managed to club 17 home runs. Buxton still has the ability to be a league-winner if he can stay healthy, but the odds are against that since he's played in over 100 games just one in his nine seasons in the majors with the Twins.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) said he's been talking with Willi Castro about how many bases they can each steal this season, and Buxton said he thinks he's got 30 in him this year. "That means I'm on a lot and running a lot. I feel good. I feel real good," Buxton said. The 30-year-old oft-injured outfielder just needs to worry about staying healthy first. He's played in over 100 games in a season just once (in 2017) in his nine-year MLB career and has gone over 20 steals just once (also in 2017), so fantasy managers would be wise not to have that high of expectations for him on the basepaths in 2024. Buxton had arthroscopic knee surgery in September and couldn't even play defense in Minnesota at all in 85 games in 2023. He did manage 17 homers last year, but his plate skills overall declined, putting him outside RotoBaller's top-100 outfielders entering the 2024 season.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) said he is fully healthy heading into the 2024 season, which has put his mind at ease. He said he expects a normal buildup this spring as he prepares to return to center field for the Twins. "The pain's gone, so I'm a lot more happy. 100 percent. 100 percent. The last couple years were definitely painful," Buxton said. The 30-year-old oft-injured outfielder didn't play a single game in center field in the majors last year and had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in September to address patellar tendinitis. We'll believe Buxton playing center field on a regular basis when we see it. He hit just .207 (63-for-304) in 85 games in 2023, but he did manage to club 17 home runs and drive in 42. In addition to his knee injury, he also dealt with calf, back and rib issues. Buxton is probably the most risky player in the game because of his inability to stay out of the trainer's room.