MINNEAPOLIS — Three years ago, pushing through a knee injury wouldn’t be a second thought for Byron Buxton if he believed he could handle it. The Minnesota Twins center fielder wanted to play so badly he’d attempt to play through pain and soreness, even if it was to his detriment in the long run.
Not so much anymore.
Perhaps it’s the influence of years of advice from Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, shortstop Carlos Correa or the team’s various athletic trainers, including current trainer Nick Paparesta. But for whatever reason, the 30-year-old Buxton said he’s begun to listen to his body more, particularly when it says slow down.
When Buxton felt something in his twice surgically repaired knee in Chicago on Wednesday, he knew to speak up and shut it down. In doing so, Buxton shares the same optimism as Baldelli, who the other day suggested the 2022 All-Star’s time on the 10-day injured list could be anywhere in a 10-to-14 day window.
Buxton, who went on the IL retroactive to Thursday, feels he’s in a good spot as he learns to “manage” his knee. Part of his optimism comes from an MRI he took last Thursday that showed only inflammation and no structural damage.
“I would have put myself in a worse position and the team in a worse position if I would have tried to fight through that like I have in years past,” Buxton said. “I’ve got to be able to manage that. … That was my body just telling me, ‘You probably pushed it to the limit and I’m letting you know.’ So I’m listening to my body a little bit more than just my mind and my heart. My heart and mind know where they want to be, but my body is, ‘You want to keep doing what you want to do, you want to make sure you take care of it early rather than late.’”
The earliest Buxton could come off the IL is May 12, the finale of a three-game set in Toronto. He’s aiming for that date, though two days later seems likelier. Not only does an additional two days provide Buxton with a buffer, but it also would mean he wouldn’t have to return when the Twins are playing on the AstroTurf of the Rogers Centre and instead would come back for the opener of a three-game home series against the New York Yankees.
Baldelli used the word optimistic in describing how he felt about Buxton’s knee. He didn’t see it being a long-term absence.
“It seems like something we can definitely deal with,” Baldelli said. “We’ll take that and we’ll kind of move on, try to go in a positive direction from there.”
OMG BYRON BUXTON 😮💨#MNTWINS // #WEBELIEVEINTC pic.twitter.com/ZRGLkm3qTb
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 20, 2024
Buxton didn’t want to go on the IL. He never does.
But he described his entire experience since undergoing a second knee surgery last October as encouraging. Even though he’s back on the IL, he’s pleased with how the knee is holding up.
He’s also getting more accustomed to the idea of speaking up and improving his communication with the team when it’s necessary. Given Buxton is under contract for four more seasons after this one, this is a good development for the long-term relationship between the player and the club.
“It was a great process, especially the way we went about it each and every day to where I’m ready and prepared,” Buxton said. “I don’t think it’s anything we could have done to make sure I went longer or whatever the situation is. My body just tells me I’m overdoing it. For once, I guess I’m just listening to my body. It feels weird, but that’s what you’ve got to do to help the team. I wouldn’t want to put the team in a bad situation where I’m still not able to go out there and help.”
Buxton appeared in 28 of the team’s first 30 games. He’s still not hitting the way he’d like, batting .250/.300/.391 with one homer and 11 RBIs in 100 plate appearances. But while he’s been sidelined, Buxton said he’s watching video of his at-bats in an attempt to improve when he returns.
Buxton isn’t currently swinging a bat. He’s running in the pool and participating in his normal workouts while also making sure to reduce the workload and allow his right knee to recover. As much as it pains Buxton to not play, he’s encouraged by the process and progress.
“In years past, that would have been longer than whatever the situation is now,” Buxton said. “It’s just trying to get in front of those types of problems out there — not necessarily problems, just stuff I’ve got to manage throughout the rest of my career, you know? Just one of those things where you don’t want it to linger.”
(Photo of Buxton: Kamil Krzaczynski / USA Today)
