Fears of Byron Buxton not playing the rest of the season were calmed somewhat Wednesday when Minnesota Twins trainer Nick Paparesta told reporters that he’s confident Buxton will be back on the field soon enough.
Do-Hyoung Park, the MLB.com beat writer who travels with the Twins, said Buxton received a cortisone shot Tuesday to treat inflammation in a membrane flap in his right knee, which has been bothering him since undergoing surgery last year.
“Paparesta said the issue initially presented as patellar tendinitis, but MRIs looked good on that front, and Buxton is moving in the right direction with the tendinitis and the results of his past surgery. The plica inflammation is new and led to the cortisone injection,” Park tweeted Wednesday.
He then quoted the trainer as saying “We will make it happen” when the trainer was asked if Buxton will play again this season.
Paparesta said the issue initially presented as patellar tendinitis, but MRIs looked good on that front, and Buxton is moving in the right direction with the tendinitis and the results of his past surgery. The plica inflammation is new and led to the cortisone injection.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 13, 2023
The Twins, after wrapping up their series with the Rays Wednesday afternoon, will have just 16 games left in the regular season before the playoffs begin in early October. If Buxton does return, the questions will be if he’s able to play center field or be relegated to DH duties.
Buxton has not played since Aug. 1. He missed the entire month with a strained hamstring than then he right knee acted up on him during the second game of his rehab stint with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints.
