Despite ripping off 13 wins in a row, and improving their record to 27-22 — the Minnesota Twins had a bit of cold water splashed on their sudden success last week, in the form of a shallow center field collision between Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton.
The Twins had an off day on Thursday, after splitting a rain-filled series against the Cleveland Guardians earlier this week. They utilized the downtime to get some guys healthy, including the aforementioned Correa, who was activated on Friday.
The Correa activation wasn’t a surprise, after the Twins paved the way for him to return one day prior, by sending Mickey Gasper and Ryan Fitzgerald down to Triple A, leaving an open 26-man roster spot for the superstar as soon as he was eligible.
Byron Buxton working towards return to Minnesota Twins lineup
When the collision happened, Byron Buxton didn’t immediately exit the game, like his teammate and fellow 2012 top two draft pick did. Buck only lasted the rest of that inning, though. Not only did he join Correa in the clubhouse shortly after crashing into him, but he also landed next to him on the 7-day concussion list a day later too.
Ever since, Buxton has been one step behind Correa in their recovery process. While Carlos rejoins his Minnesota Twins teammates Friday night, Byron will remain on the concussion list for the 8th-straight day. Fortunately, The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman reports that doesn’t seem like it’ll be the case much longer.
Byron Buxton is “ramping up” baseball activities, including “ground-based” running (not on a treadmill or in the water). We still don’t know when he will return, but these were the same reports we heard about Correa, prior to his activation today.
#MNTwins say Byron Buxton (concussion) is “ramping up his baseball activities.”
Buxton has “completed ground-based running.” (As opposed to in a pool or on a treadmill, etc.)
No timetable yet for Buxton’s return, but all indications are that he’s headed in a positive direction.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) May 23, 2025
Correa had recently progressed to baseball activities and running just prior to being activated. Seeing Buxton hop on that same trend is likely means he is close behind. Earlier in their recoveries, the Twins noted that Buck’s recovery could take a bit longer.
Life has been harder without Buxton, Correa
That’s because this was Correa’s first concussion, whereas Buxton has suffered multiple in his career. Although Correa is now cleared and back in action, the journey to this point wasn’t without hurdles. He spoke of the symptoms he experienced over the past week pregame on Friday.
Carlos Correa: “I feel great. It’s just good to be back.”
Correa said he had several days of “dizziness, headaches, and fogginess” from the concussion.
“My thoughts were slow.”
Correa noted the schedule and rainouts allowed him to miss only five games in the seven-day absence.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) May 23, 2025
With Correa out of he lineup, Minnesota utilized a heavy dose of Jonah Bride and Kody Clemens as Brooks Lee filled in at shortstop. Without Buxton there has been plenty of Harrison Bader and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. It also brought on the promotion of 6-7 slugger Carson McCusker.
Although he has missed recent games, Buxton’s 1.9 fWAR still leads the Minnesota Twins. Across 41 games this season, Byron Buxton is slashing .261/.312/.522 with five doubles, three triples, and ten home runs.
Aside from the freak accident that was this collision, Buxton has been incredibly healthy in 2025. He had played in all but one game he was available for, and has again incorporated speed back into his game. The Twins star is a perfect 8-for-8 in stolen base attempts.
Minnesota has a three-game series with Kansas City over the weekend before going on a three-city road trip starting in Tampa Bay. If Buxton can get to a point where activation comes as the Twins leave town, the lineup would see a nice boost just before the calendar turns to June.
