Minnesota Twins designated hitter Byron Buxton was seen shagging fly balls in center field during Friday's batting practice at Target Field. The good news is that the sight of the 29-year-old in the outfield reinforces last week's report that the Twins may finally allow Buxton to participate defensively upon his return. The tricky part of this equation, however, is that Buxton still needs a rehab assignment before coming back, but that is still not "imminent". The former All-Star has been sidelined since Aug. 4 with a right hamstring strain, and his absence appears likely to have lasted at least a month by the time he is ready to be activated. Fantasy managers may be growing frustrated between Buxton's streaky play and lingering absences, but the speedy slugger remains worth stashing in the majority of competitive leagues.

Minnesota Twins designated hitter Byron Buxton (hamstring) could finally return to center field at some point upon his return from the 10-day injured list. The 29-year-old has been restricted to DH duties in all 80 game started this year in an attempt by the Twins to preserve the oft-injured Buxton in bubble wrap. But the speedy slugger has already hit the IL on two occasions this season, so the plan hasn't all worked. Buxton still awaits a rehab assignment before any potential activation while hampered by a right hamstring strain dating back to Aug. 2, but he still has a chance to return before August's end. Perhaps returning to the outfield would get Buxton more focused at the plate; the former All-Star is batting just .207 (63-for-304) with a .731 OPS, 17 home runs, 42 RBI, and nine stolen bases in 2023.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hamstring) was placed on the injured list in early August due to a lingering hamstring issue. His timetable to return has been uncertain, but manager Rocco Baldelli cleared it up on Tuesday. Baldelli said that Buxton will need to go on a rehab assignment before returning to the Twins roster. That means, Buxton isn't quite ready to return yet, but fantasy managers shouldn't rule out a return in August. The hope is that Buxton will be ready before the end of the month.

Minnesota Twins bench coach Jayce Tingler said that the plan is to shut outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton (hamstring) down for two weeks to see how he responds after placing him on the 10-day injured list on Friday. The oft-injured 29-year-old is dealing with a right-hamstring strain and now probably won't return until late August or early September. Buxton has been as frustrating as can be in 2023, and injuries have once again played their part. Until he's back, lefty hitting Matt Wallner will see regular playing time at DH for Minnesota. Buxton, who was an All-Star for the first time in 2022, is hitting a weak .207 (63-for-304). He's become a power-first injury risk that runs a little bit (nine stolen bases).

The Minnesota Twins are placing outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list on Friday due to right-hamstring tightness and are recalling outfielder Jordan Luplow to the active roster in a corresponding move. The oft-injured Buxton, who hasn't played a single game in the outfield in 2023, will head to the injured list for the second time this year. Until Buxton is able to return, left-handed-hitting Matt Wallner should see most of the starts as the team's designated hitter. The 29-year-old Buxton does have 17 home runs in 85 games this year, but that's about where the positives end for him. Overall, he's hitting just over the Mendoza Line with a .294 on-base percentage, 42 RBI, nine stolen bases and 49 runs scored in 347 plate appearances.

Minnesota Twins outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton (hamstring) continues to sit on Friday with the team facing the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. Matt Wallner is serving as the designated hitter yet again and will bat sixth against Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly. Buxton is fighting through right-hamstring tightness and will miss his third straight game. If he's unable to return soon for the Twins, they could have to consider putting him on the injured list. Although the 29-year-old does have 17 home runs and 42 RBI in 304 at-bats in 2023, he's hitting just .207 (63-for-304) and has yet to play center field due to lingering injuries. Buxton is also sporting a weak .294 on-base percentage and has nine stolen bases in 85 games.

Minnesota Twins outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Jorge Polanco is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup, while Edouard Julien is at the keystone and hitting fifth against Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore. Buxton remains on the bench after being scratched from Wednesday's lineup with right-hamstring tightness. The 29-year-old hasn't missed extended time with an injury in 2023, but he certainly has been far from 100 percent healthy and has yet to play the outfield. He's hitting just .207 (63-for-304) but has been useful for his pop (17 home runs) while driving in 42, stealing nine bases and scoring 49 runs in 85 games.

Minnesota Twins outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton (hamstring) has been scratched from Wednesday's lineup against the St. Louis Cardinals with right-hamstring tightness. With Buxton sitting, Edouard Julien will serve as the designated hitter and bat second, while Jorge Polanco will play the keystone and hit third against Cardinals right-hander Dakota Hudson. When it comes to Buxton, any injury has the potential to put him on the injured list, so fantasy managers should prepare for that possibility. The 29-year-old is hitting just over the Mendoza Line this year and has yet to play center field in 2023, but he has added 17 home runs, 42 RBI, nine stolen bases and 49 runs scored for the Twins in 304 at-bats.

Minnesota Twins outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton is not in the team's starting lineup on Friday for the series opener against the Kansas City Royals. Buxton was removed from the paternity list on Thursday, but they'll hold the slumping outfielder out of the lineup for the first game of a weekend series. Matt Wallner is serving as the designated hitter and is batting sixth against Royals right-hander Brady Singer. The 29-year-old Buxton is hitting under the Mendoza Line (.195) this year, but he's provided 17 home runs, 40 RBI and nine stolen bases in 292 at-bats. He's hitting a miserable .148 (9-for-61) with three homers, nine RBI, two steals and nine runs scored in 16 games played in the month of July.

The Minnesota Twins reinstated outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton from the paternity list on Thursday and optioned outfielder Trevor Larnach to the minors in a corresponding move. The Twins don't have a game on Thursday, so Buxton will be back in the starting lineup on Friday for the series opener against the Kansas City Royals. The 29-year-old still hasn't played a game in center field in 2023 due to a lingering knee injury, and he's hitting under the Mendoza Line in 292 at-bats, albeit with 17 home runs, 40 RBI and nine stolen bases. Buxton has gone just 9-for-61 (.148) with three home runs, nine RBI, two stolen bases and nine runs scored in 16 games in the month of July.

The Minnesota Twins officially placed outfielder Byron Buxton on the paternity list on Monday and recalled outfielder Trevor Larnach from the minors in a corresponding move. There's a chance that Buxton will miss all of this week's series against the Seattle Mariners, so fantasy managers need to act accordingly with their starting lineups for the week. Larnach, meanwhile, could play in each of Minnesota's games this week with Buxton away from the team. The 29-year-old Buxton is hitting under the Mendoza Line this year (.195) and has a weak .284 on-base percentage, but he's still been useful for fantasy managers with 17 home runs, 12 doubles, a triple, 40 RBI and nine stolen bases in 334 plate appearances. Buxton has gone just .9-for-61 (.148) with three homers, nine RBI, two steals and nine runs in 16 games in the month of July.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is expected to be placed on the paternity leave list ahead of Monday's game. The 29-year-old could miss up to three games while on the paternity list. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly with Buxton likely going to be out for a few days. Trevor Larnach is expected to take over the spot on the active roster.

Minnesota Twins designated hitter Byron Buxton smacked two home runs and collected four RBI beating the Chicago White Sox 9-4 Friday. Buxton took on White Sox starting pitcher Lance Lynn in the first inning and delivered a powerful three-run blast, sending the ball soaring 427 feet. Undeterred, he continued his display of power, launching a 354-foot solo shot in the fourth inning, extending Minnesota's lead to 6-1. The 29-year-old concluded the night going 2-for-4 at the plate. After a great Friday outing, his statistics still need to improve as the Twins star is slashing .197/.284/.426, with 17 homers and 40 RBI.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is sitting out for the second straight game on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners. Buxton was given a mental day of rest on Tuesday and remains out of action on Wednesday. As far as we know, he's not dealing with any kind of injury, but Buxton has gone hitless over 21 at-bats with 13 strikeouts in his last five games, so perhaps the Twins want to give him some extended time to clear his head. The 29-year-old has yet to play center field in 2023 as he recovers from a knee injury, and it could be part of the reason why he's batting under .200 with only eight stolen bases in 276 at-bats. It hasn't been all bad, though, as he's managed 15 home runs. Matt Wallner will serve as the DH again and will hit fifth against Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo on Wednesday.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is taking a mental break from baseball on Tuesday with the team facing the Seattle Mariners. With Buxton starting on the bench, Matt Wallner will serve as the designated hitter and will bat fifth in the order against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo. It's a good time for Buxton to take a day off, as the 29-year-old has gone hitless in 21 at-bats with 13 strikeouts in his last five games to drop his season slash line to an alarming .196/.285/.409. He's still managed to club 15 home runs, drive in 36, steal eight bases and score 43 runs, but Buxton probably still isn't 100 percent with his injured knee. His 31.3 percent strikeout rate is the highest of his career, and he has yet to play on defense in 2023.

Minnesota Twins outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton (back) has returned to designated-hitter duties and is batting cleanup against the Atlanta Braves and right-hander Bryce Elder on Tuesday. Buxton has been dealing with back spasms of late and served in a pinch-hitting role in each of the last two games. He's back in the starting lineup now, though, and fantasy managers will want to get him back into their lineups. The 29-year-old is also managing knee issues that have kept him from playing center field all year to this point. Buxton has gone hitless in his last four appearances over 10 trips to the plate with five strikeouts. He's hitting barely over the Mendoza Line in 219 at-bats in 2023, but he does still have 13 home runs and six stolen bases for fantasy managers.

Outfielder/designated hitter Byron Buxton (back) will not start Monday as the Minnesota Twins travel to Atlanta to face the Braves and right-hander Spencer Strider. Buxton left Saturday's game in Detroit after his third at-bat due to back spasms and did not start in the finale on Sunday, though he did ground out in his lone pinch-hit appearance late in the contest. It's a positive sign that the 29-year-old earned an at-bat off the bench on Sunday, and it's also encouraging that there's no news of an injured-list stint on the horizon, but it's fair to be a little concerned considering the center fielder's lengthy injury history. Buxton is slashing a disappointing .206/.304/.440 on the season with 13 homers and six stolen bases. Fantasy managers are forced into a wait-and-see approach with hopes that this is nothing but a minor setback before a scorching-hot July for the five-tool player.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (back) pinch-hit in the eighth inning of a 6-3 extra innings win over the Detroit Tigers. Buxton was out of the starting lineup due to a back issue that manager Rocco Baldelli confirmed has been bothering his center fielder for a while, but it appears it will be an injury that Buxton can play through. He might get more games off while he recovers, but he should be in the lineup more often than not. Buxton has had mixed results this year, hitting just .207 but mashing 13 homers and swiping six bases in 218 at-bats. Hopefully some additional rest lets him heat up at the dish.

Minnesota Twins designated hitter Byron Buxton (back) is missing from Sunday's lineup against the Detroit Tigers. Edouard Julien is DHing in the leadoff spot while super-utility man Kyle Farmer covers second base, batting fifth in this one. Not much of a surprise here as the Twins play things carefully with their oft-injured star after the 29-year-old exited Saturday's game with back spasms. Buxton was on an 0-for-8 slide on the heels of launching three homers in as many days. Minnesota doesn't have a day off on Monday, so fantasy managers will have to wait and see if the speedy slugger can return for the start of a three-game set against the Atlanta Braves.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (back) left Saturday's meeting with the Tigers because of spasms. Skipper Rocco Baldelli provided an update after the game, stating that Buxton has dealt with the injury for most of the year and has worn a wrap. Fortunately, the veteran is already "feeling a little bit better," although fantasy managers aren't out of the woods just yet.