Full Breakdown
Byron Buxton’s Season-Ending Hip Surgery and Its Ripple Effect on the Minnesota Twins
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Surgery Scheduled for Mid-September
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right hip on September 11, 2026. The procedure, confirmed by team reporter Audra Martin, ends Buxton’s 2026 campaign after 93 games. The Twins said the surgery is intended to address a lingering hip impingement that has repeatedly sidelined the three-time All-Star this season.
Background & Context
Buxton’s hip problems date back to a right-hip strain in May 2021, the first of several setbacks that have limited his durability. Injuries to his hip and knee curtailed his 2022 season, and he missed 28 games in 2024. The 2026 season saw multiple stints on the injured list, including three placements since late August. Despite the interruptions, Buxton earned a spot in the American League’s starting lineup for the All-Star Game, though he could not play because he was on the IL at the time.
Timeline
- May 2021 – Initial right-hip strain.
- May 2026 – Mid-May hip injury leads to an IL stint; Buxton limited to DH duties in ten of his first eleven games back.
- July 4 2026 – Returns, then injures himself trying to steal second base the next day.
- July 20 2026 – Returns from IL at the Cleveland Guardians.
- Late August 2026 – Comes off the IL, appears in 11 games before aggravating the hip, then placed on the IL for the third time.
- September 11 2026 – Surgery scheduled.
Data & Statistics
- Offensive production: .254/.319/.511 slash line, 25 home runs, 46 RBIs, seven stolen bases in 408 plate appearances (Audra Martin).
- Games played: 93 of a possible 162, the fewest since his rookie year.
- Team standing: The Twins sit third in the AL Central, 6½ games behind the Chicago White Sox and 5½ games back in the race for the final AL wild-card spot, with 15 games remaining (Audra Martin).
- Contract: Buxton has two years and $30 million left on a seven-year, $100 million extension signed in 2021; as a 10-and-5 player, he holds full no-trade rights.
Official Statements & Responses
Manager Derek Shelton said the plan is for Buxton to be ready for the 2027 season, a timeline echoed by the organization’s medical staff. Shelton also noted that Buxton’s presence “helps the younger guys” even when he cannot play.
Why It Matters / Impact
Buxton’s absence removes a premier defensive center-fielder and a middle-of-order power bat from a club already fighting for a wild-card berth. The Twins have turned to top prospect Walker Jenkins, who was called up after Buxton’s late-August IL placement, to fill the center-field vacancy. Jenkins’ modest .118/.268/.265 line reflects a developmental stage, but the organization views him as a long-term solution.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Twins project Buxton’s return for the start of spring training in 2027, yet no independent medical assessment has been released to confirm the timeline. Some analysts have suggested a three-to-five-month recovery window, which aligns with the organization’s estimate but remains unverified.
What’s Next
- September 11 2026: Buxton undergoes arthroscopic hip surgery.
- Recovery outlook: The Twins anticipate a three-to-five-month rehabilitation period, targeting readiness for the 2027 spring training roster.
- Roster adjustments: Walker Jenkins is expected to continue receiving regular playing time in center field for the remainder of the season, with the organization evaluating his role for 2027.
