Buxton underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip on Sept. 18. He’ll rehab through December before shifting focus to the 2027 campaign.
I’m just making sure I do everything I’m supposed to, Buxton told Hayes. It’s been good. I feel better now, moving a bit more, so that’s definitely progress.
Although he didn’t hit the injured list until July, the outfielder first felt nagging hip pain in May. He soldiered on, delivering a blistering first half and posting a .926 OPS in June with eight homers. A stolen‑base attempt against the Yankees on July 5 worsened the issue, landing him on the IL with what was initially labeled a hip strain.
He returned shortly after the All‑Star break but lasted only seven games before being pulled against the Athletics and sent back to the IL, this time diagnosed as a hip impingement. In August he managed 11 more appearances before a third and final IL stint.
When healthy, Buxton has been a force, posting a 128 wRC+ and 25 homers over 93 games. Excluding his post‑IL slump, his numbers shine even brighter; after his first IL stint he hit just .172 with no homers and a .203 SLG. Heading into July he was slashing .268/.325/.573, earning his third All‑Star nod.
The Twins’ front office is dead‑set on keeping him this summer. In my view, retaining Buxton is the smart play for Minnesota’s future.
We need to get (Buxton) through this rehab process, Zoll said to Hayes. He wants to be here, we want him here, and we’re excited about our future together.
Buxton has two seasons left on his seven‑year, $100 million extension signed after 2021, earning $15 million in both 2027 and 2028. The deal grants full no‑trade protection through 2026, after which he can block moves to five clubs.
Minnesota has missed the playoffs for three straight years and hasn’t finished higher than third in the AL Central since the 2023 division title. The Twins entered August above .500 but went 21‑30 over the final two months, slipping out of the Wild Card race.
If the front office ever changes course, Buxton’s contract isn’t prohibitive for a middle‑of‑the‑order power bat who’s hit 60 homers in the past two seasons, and he even proved he can still man center field, improving from –5 DRS in 2025 to +2 this year. Could his resurgence spark a playoff push for the Twins next season?