Byron Buxton: Off-Season Knee Injury

David Berding-USA TODAY Sports

As the Twins 2023 season ended, there were many positives, helping them win their first postseason and ending the Organization's 18-game losing streak. The Twins had a very successful season even without one of the best players in the MLB when healthy… Byron Buxton. After a strong 2022 campaign, the former all-star centerfielder was again injured for most of the 2023 season, leading Buxton to receive knee surgery this offseason.

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Buxton ended the 2023 season with only 85 games played; even with Buxton only being a designated hitter this year, he still could not have a complete season. Buxton is heading into his tenth major league season and hoping the surgery on his knee will help him be healthy for the 2023 season. Since his debut in 2015, he has only had one season where he played more than 100 games; in 2017, he played 140 games.

IMAGE CREDIT: Fansided

The Twins star outfielder underwent an arthroscopic procedure to excise the plica (a membrane flap) in his right knee. This was Buxton's second surgery, as he had an arthroscopic cleanup procedure on the same knee last September, which caused him to be questionable for Opening Day in 2023. As Buxton is a vital piece of the Organization, the Twins hope the former number-one pick can stay healthy and become the player everyone knows he can be.