Minnesota Twins star center fielder Byron Buxton exited Sunday’s 6-1 victory over the host New York Yankees after the first inning due to re-aggravation of a previous hip injury.
Buxton reached on an infield single and was thrown out trying to steal second base while Kody Clemens struck out. Buxton appeared to grimace while getting tagged out by shortstop Anthony Volpe. He was replaced by rookie Kyler Fedko.
“It’s one of those things where I just don’t want to set myself back farther,” Buxton said. “I don’t want to put the team in a bad spot with me going out there and trying to be Superman and play one game and end up missing a month, or whatever the situation is. Just being smart about what I’m doing and making sure I’m on the field more than I’m not on the field.”
Buxton was “in between” running to second base and sliding when he felt the discomfort, he said.
He is hitting .271 with 25 homers and 45 RBIs in 75 games this season and was named as a starter to the American League All-Star team on Saturday. This is his third All-Star nod.
The 32-year-old has missed games due to hip issues twice this season. He drove in two runs in Saturday’s 11-4 rout after sitting out the previous four games because of right hip impingement.
–Field Level Media
