Minnesota Twins Lose Part of Opening Day Lineup For Season to Injury, and Provide Update on Additional Key Piece

The Minnesota Twins, closing in on an American League Central crown, have lost infielder Jose Miranda for the season to a shoulder problem. They've also given outfielder Byron Buxton a cortisone injection in his ailing knee as they try to get him back for the playoff push.

The Minnesota Twins got a mixed bag of updates on the injury front on Wednesday.

The news is not good regarding infielder Jose Miranda and it's mildly more optimistic on Byron Buxton.

First, on Buxton, per Dan Hayes of 'The Athletic.'

Conservative treatment wasn’t working, so Byron Buxton was given a cortisone shot in knee Sunday. #MNTwins hopeful he can still get into rehab games.

Conservative treatment wasn’t working, so Byron Buxton was given a cortisone shot in knee Sunday. #MNTwins hopeful he can still get into rehab games.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) September 13, 2023

It has been a frustrating season - and career - for Buxton, who has had all kinds of trouble staying healthy.

He's in his ninth year in the big leagues, all with the Twins, and has played more than 100 games just once. He also missed 21 games in the shortened COVID season.

He's hitting just .207 this year with 17 homers and 42 RBI.

When healthy, he's one of the most talented players in baseball and he made the All-Star team in 2022.

He was recently pulled from his rehab assignment, which necessitated the injection.

And on Miranda, who is set to miss the rest of the season:

Jose Miranda is having a pre-surgery consultation today and a procedure tomorrow with Dr. Jeffrey Dugas. More on the surgery after it happens.

Jose Miranda is having a pre-surgery consultation today and a procedure tomorrow with Dr. Jeffrey Dugas.
More on the surgery after it happens.#MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) September 13, 2023

The 25-year-old started out the year on Twins roster, but has hit just .211 this year with three home runs and 13 RBI.

He had a much better season in 2022 when he hit .268 with 15 home runs over 125 games.

Minnesota is 76-69 and leads the American League Central by 7.5 games.

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