Byron Buxton finally got caught stealing again. And that’s normally not worth writing home about for most players. But for Buxton it was notable because he’d successfully swiped 37 consecutive bags before Sunday’s game against the Yankees. The streak dated back to May 1, 2024, and it was one of those quiet little achievements that showed how explosive he still is when healthy.
But the bigger story came after he was thrown out. Buxton left Sunday’s rubber match with what the team is calling a presumed injury, per Aaron Gleeman. He’d only just returned from a right hip impingement the day before. That timing is brutal, and it’s the kind of thing that makes you hold your breath if you’re a Twins fan.
The What-If Machine Keeps Breaking
Buxton was just named an All-Star starter for the first time in his career. At 31 and in his 12th MLB season, he’s got the talent to be a Hall of Fame-level player. Instead he’s become one of the most frustrating what-ifs in Minnesota sports history. The speed is still there. The power is still there. The catch radius is still elite. But his body keeps failing him at the worst possible moments.
The stolen base streak was a reminder of the player he can be. Buxton was reading pitchers, getting great jumps, and actually staying on the field long enough to build a streak like that. That’s not easy for any player, let alone a guy whose legs have let him down more times than just about any active outfielder.
What Happens Now
The team has not confirmed the severity of the injury yet. Buxton will almost certainly undergo imaging in the next 24 hours. The Twins are in the thick of the playoff race and losing their center fielder slash DH for any extended stretch would be a real problem. The lineup already leans on him pretty heavily for production and energy.
Fans are hoping this is just a precautionary move. That he tweaked something and they pulled him before it got worse. But the history here doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence. Buxton has played in more than 100 games only twice in his entire career. Every time he starts building momentum, something like this happens.
The stolen base streak is over. The question now is whether Buxton’s season is about to get interrupted again. And honestly, that’s the worst part of being a Byron Buxton fan. You never know if the highlight you just watched is the start of a great run or the last good thing you’ll see from him for a while.
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