Minnesota Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli Says Byron Buxton Can't Play the Outfield Yet

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told MLB Network Radio that he's not ready to put Byron Buxton in the field yet as he battles knee issues. He says he can't physically handle it every day at this point.

Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins is one of the elite athletes in Major League Baseball. The problem is that Byron Buxton hasn't been able to stay healthy for much of his career.

Since making his debut in 2015, Buxton has only played 100 games or more in a season one time (2017). He played 46 games in 2015, 92 in 2016, 140 in 2017, 28 in 2018, 87 in 2019, 36 of 60 in the COVID 2020 season, 61 in 2021, 92 in 2022 and he's played in 70 thus far this year.

Knee problems are the biggest issue facing Buxton and the Twins have utilized him exclusively at designated hitter this year in an effort to keep him healthier.

Speaking to MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM on Friday, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said he's not ready to put Baldelli in the field yet.

..."As of right now, I don't know if Buxton is going to take the field any time soon. The goal is to have him in the lineup every single day. And I'm not going to overstep any bounds and say anything that's not true just to appease anyone. Keeping him healthy, keeping him on the field and hitting third for us is really what we want...."

"The goal is to have him in the lineup every single day." #Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli provides an update on Gold Glover Byron Buxton's potential return to the outfield.@Twins | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/f5zzd3aXKq

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) July 7, 2023

Buxton is hitting .215 this year with 15 homers and 34 RBI. He's stolen eight bases.

The Twins are 45-43 and in first place in the American League Central.

They close out the first half of the season with a series this weekend at home against the Baltimore Orioles.

First pitch on Friday is 8:10 p.m. ET.

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