Buxton is finally hitting, is Hit By Pitch, did he dodge a bullet?

[jokin]

Buxton homers, survives hit-by-pitch scare

 

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/193/files/2013/10/7594246.jpg

 

Last night's Miracle game was an epic, 17-inning affair, that involved 35 players, a stellar 5-8 performance by SS Jorge Polanco, and also included 3 first round and 1 second round draft picks in the opposition, stacked Daytona Cubs, starting lineup, both teams combined for 41 hits, 23 by the Miracle and a combined 39 strike outs.....but all of this and the end result in a Miracle loss was completely transcended by the performance of just one player...the former #1, but now #2 prospect in baseball. It appears that now being ranked #2 means that like Avis, Byron Buxton is going to try even harder.

 

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140719&content_id=85219474&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb

 

If the Twins' goal was to get Byron Buxton more at-bats, it was mission accomplished on Friday night.

 

Buxton led off the game with a single and then hit his 3rd HR of the season, and his 2nd consecutive HR game. He followed that up with another single and a walk, leading to this in the 8th inning:

 

Brice Zimmerman @ZimMiracleFollow

Buxton struck on his wrist with a pitch in the 8th. Visible pain and upset reaction, but he stayed in the game to run bases and back in CF

 

As an aside, I encourage everyone to give Brice a listen, he does an excellent play-by-play job for the Miracle. And yes, Buxton was hit on "that" wrist. In a very good sign, Buxton stayed in the game, and actually played another 9+ innings after being hit, reaching base 2 more times on a walk and a 17th inning leadoff single, oddly enough another good sign for the wrist, after a swinging strikeout previously in the 10th inning (Buxton reached base leading off an inning 3 out of 3 times, on 2 hits and a walk).

 

For the game, Buck reached base 7 times in 9 plate appearances and he had 9 flawless chances in CF. And yes, as all of Twinsland is no doubt aware:

 

Buxton scored three runs and drove in two. The performance continued a breakout week for the second overall pick in the 2012 Draft as he's gone 9-for-17 with two homers and a triple in his last three games.

 

Curious fans will likely be checking the Miracle box score later this evening to get the follow-up on Buck's wrist and see what the new "Number 2" can do for an encore.

[jokin]

Just got an update on Buck's slash since his July 6 return, over 8 games:

 

.367/.472/.633/1.106 BB%- 14%

 

While his wrist health is still the over-riding concern, I don't think there's any question that he's seeing the ball well and has got his swing and timing down.

[diehardtwinsfan]

yeah, I figure he has another week of 'spring training' and then gets sent to NB.

[jokin]

Starting Miracle lineup, no Buxton...but no word on why not...let's assume a normal night off for now:

 

 

Fort Myers Miracle

‏

@

MiracleBaseball

LINEUP (7:05) 1. Mejia-4, 2. Polanco-6, 3. Harrison-7, 4. Hicks-3, 5. Walker-9, 6. Gonzales-DH, 7. Turner-2, 8. Kelpler-8, 9. Goodrum-5

[Monkeypaws]

Starting Miracle lineup, no Buxton...but no word on why not...let's assume a normal night off for now:

 

 

Fort Myers Miracle

‏

@

MiracleBaseball

LINEUP (7:05) 1. Mejia-4, 2. Polanco-6, 3. Harrison-7, 4. Hicks-3, 5. Walker-9, 6. Gonzales-DH, 7. Turner-2, 8. Kelpler-8, 9. Goodrum-5

 

Hope to hell it isn't that wrist shot....

[RedBull34]

Hopefully it's because they bumped him up a level!

[Ncgo4]

Monkey paws, that was my first thought. On reflection, however, I cannot imagine that they left him in the game for all those innings if there was ANY doubt about the health of his wrist. No one and I mean NO ONE would want o be the manager that blew that decision.

[nicksaviking]

Getting held out the next day after getting plunked in a sensitive area isn't uncommon. Even if he was held out because his wrist was sore, it doesn't mean it was re-aggravated. His sprained/jammed wrist would have involved damaged ligaments. A fastball to the wrist would have involved a simple contusion assuming it's not broken. Either way, just because it occurred on the same body part, doesn't mean it's the same injury. It shouldn't be anyway.

[stringer bell]

There could be swelling etc. that develops overnight. I just don't know, but until he's back in the lineup or someone tweets that he is fine, I will be anxious about this bump in the road.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'd also add that getting held out after playing 17 innings isn't uncommon either. Buxton has been out of commission all season long. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a tad sore (or just tired) after that. If he's out today, I think there's some legit reason to worry.

[jokin]

I'd also add that getting held out after playing 17 innings isn't uncommon either. Buxton has been out of commission all season long. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a tad sore (or just tired) after that. If he's out today, I think there's some legit reason to worry.

 

Good news/bad news:

 

Mike Berardino @MikeBerardino · 52s

Buxton was hit on right wrist (other). Day to day.

 

 

 

 

I never like the dreaded "day to day" term in context with recent injury reports concerning Twins players and prospects. Having said that, it seems like it should be interpreted as good news for now. Despite earlier reports, it now appears that it wasn't his left wrist that was HBP, after-all. And I would think getting hit on the inside of your right wrist would pose less potential exposure and damage to all of the small bones in the joint. Still, two chronic wrist injuries to deal with at the same time, would be a pretty bad development.

[John Kelsey]

He's out of the lineup again today...

[Seth Stohs]

He's out of the lineup again today...

 

This does allow the concern level to come up a little bit...

[jokin]

This does allow the concern level to come up a little bit...

 

Confirmed, any setback at all at this late stage threatens to make this whole thing a lost season:

 

Fort Myers Miracle @MiracleBaseball · 1m

LINEUP (4:05) 1. Mejia-5, 2. Polanco-4, 3. Harrison-7, 4. Hicks-3, 5. Walker-9, 6. Gonzales-DH, 7. Turner-2, 8. Kepler-8, 9. Goodrum-6

[Pius Jefferson]

Who's the sob that hit Buxton in the wrist?

[Mr. Brooks]

If it's this bad that he will miss multiple games because if it (he already has), he should absolutely NOT have been allowed to play another 11 innings after the injury happened.

That is no way to handle the #2 prospect in all of baseball.

 

I understand that as a competitor he probably said, "coach, it's nothing I'm fine", but its the coaching staff's job to think big picture and protect him from himself.

 

So very frustrating.

[WLFINN]

I imagine it tightened up once he cooled down from game action. little over reaction here

[Mr. Brooks]

I imagine it tightened up once he cooled down from game action. little over reaction here

 

 

And I'd imagine that putting another 11 innings worth of stress on it after the injury probably "tightened" it up more than it otherwise would have.

 

To put it another way, would playing another 11 innings have in any way HELPED the injury? If the answer is no then it's not worth the risk, period.

You say, " I appreciate your toughness kid, but lets get you out and see how it feels in the morning."

Not difficult.

[Seth Stohs]

I imagine it tightened up once he cooled down from game action. little over reaction here

 

I'm sure the enjoyable 4 hour drive home after the 17 inning game didn't help either.

[jokin]

He's out of the lineup again today...

 

And now it can be told, he will sit again on Monday.

 

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/267878491.html

 

The StarTribune sent out their Cub-ette reporter to get the latest on Buxon's wrist. (Were the main guys too busy on some other assignment?). Don't get me wrong, Megan Ryan got the requisite, if not definitive, quotes from the head honchos :

 

 

The 'good' wrist troubles top Twins prospect Buxton

 

 

 

Brad Steil, Twins director of minor league operations, said Buxton’s wrist still is sore, and he most likely will sit out Monday’s game. Steil is hopeful Buxton can test the wrist on Tuesday....

 

...(Terry) Ryan said he felt bad for the 20-year-old’s unending spiral of wrist injuries.

“We just get him rolling, and he gets hit in the wrist again,” Ryan said. “He had a good week. And then he got hit in the wrist.”

 

 

Cursed?

 

http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/476*328/1%20buxton%20gallery030214.jpg

[Seth Stohs]

the important thing is that now he is sitting after being hit in the RIGHT wrist. His previous injury was in the LEFT wrist.

 

Hopefully this is just a couple of days.

[jokin]

the important thing is that now he is sitting after being hit in the RIGHT wrist. His previous injury was in the LEFT wrist.

 

Hopefully this is just a couple of days.

 

Yeah, that's the ray of good news. The action words we learned in this latest report from Brad Steil is that the right wrist is "sore", and that he will "test" it on Tuesday. I'm curious that nothing more specific was said, like the MRI was negative, or Buxton's wrist range of movement is unimpinged. Fingers crossed.

[Steve Lein]

If it's this bad that he will miss multiple games because if it (he already has), he should absolutely NOT have been allowed to play another 11 innings after the injury happened.

That is no way to handle the #2 prospect in all of baseball.

 

I understand that as a competitor he probably said, "coach, it's nothing I'm fine", but its the coaching staff's job to think big picture and protect him from himself.

 

So very frustrating.

 

As someone who has a lengthy baseball injury history, I can tell you this simply isn't how it works. The extent of what happens to your body after some trauma isn't going to be immediately noticeable because of the in-game adrenaline. Adrenaline will get you through A LOT OF PAIN.

 

I had two ribs broken by a pitch in the 2nd inning of a game once. Finished it just fine, but couldn't breathe even remotely deeply without cringing in pain for the next two weeks after waking up the next day.

 

Also broke the arch of my foot by fouling a pitch off it once. Finished that game too, while playing SS. I couldn't walk the next morning.

 

I wouldn't fault anyone for letting him finish the game, because I guarantee at the time he looked and felt just fine to do so.

[jokin]

Yeah, that's the ray of good news. The action words we learned in this latest report from Brad Steil is that the right wrist is "sore", and that he will "test" it on Tuesday. I'm curious that nothing more specific was said, like the MRI was negative, or Buxton's wrist range of movement is unimpinged. Fingers crossed.

 

Ask and you shall receive (eventually anyway, to be fair, the wrist was probably too swollen to read anything over the weekend)

 

 

Mike Berardino @MikeBerardino · 1m

X-ray negative on Buxton's right wrist

[DocBauer]

And now it can be told, he will sit again on Monday.

 

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/267878491.html

 

The StarTribune sent out their Cub-ette reporter to get the latest on Buxon's wrist. (Were the main guys too busy on some other assignment?). Don't get me wrong, Megan Ryan got the requisite, if not definitive, quotes from the head honchos :

 

 

 

 

 

Cursed?

 

http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/476*328/1%20buxton%20gallery030214.jpg

 

Snakebit? Somebody ticked off a Zoltar machine?

 

If this is nothing more than a sore plunking, and I sure hope it is, you have to feel a couple games missed shouldn't make him gather rust with the way he's been coming around. If only stiff/swollen and back quickly, something can still be salvaged on this season. I have absolutely no desire to rush or push anyone beyond their comfort zone, especially with all the time missed and the frustrating setbacks Buxton has had this season.

 

That being said, with his enormous ability, potential and drive, if he's back in the next couple of days, and finishes July strong, considering he dominated at A last season, I'd really like to see him challenged at AA for August to close out the season. I honestly wouldn't expect a dynamic last month, nor would I think of it as a springboard for AAA to begin 2015. But it would allow a building block of experience going in to the offseason, and toward 2015.

[Twins Twerp]

As someone who has a lengthy baseball injury history, I can tell you this simply isn't how it works. The extent of what happens to your body after some trauma isn't going to be immediately noticeable because of the in-game adrenaline. Adrenaline will get you through A LOT OF PAIN.

 

I had two ribs broken by a pitch in the 2nd inning of a game once. Finished it just fine, but couldn't breathe even remotely deeply without cringing in pain for the next two weeks after waking up the next day.

 

Also broke the arch of my foot by fouling a pitch off it once. Finished that game too, while playing SS. I couldn't walk the next morning.

 

I wouldn't fault anyone for letting him finish the game, because I guarantee at the time he looked and felt just fine to do so.

Adrenaline? In most sports i would agree but baseball? I also have played some baseball and softball (horribly I may add) and i rarely had adrenaline. All you do is hit once every hour and go games without a ball hit your direction.

 

Now football was a sport where injuries can be forgotten. Once had a stage 3 separation of my shoulder and played rest of game...still felt it but could play. I also broke an arm and a finger, they were different. Playing with that broken finger was worst thing ever. No amount of adrenaline can mask certain injuries...such as a broken wrist...btw i just realized i got hurt a lot. College football takes some time off your life.

[70charger]

Adrenaline? In most sports i would agree but baseball? I also have played some baseball and softball (horribly I may add) and i rarely had adrenaline. All you do is hit once every hour and go games without a ball hit your direction.

 

Now football was a sport where injuries can be forgotten. Once had a stage 3 separation of my shoulder and played rest of game...still felt it but could play. I also broke an arm and a finger, they were different. Playing with that broken finger was worst thing ever. No amount of adrenaline can mask certain injuries...such as a broken wrist...btw i just realized i got hurt a lot. College football takes some time off your life.

 

Oh yeah? Once I played literally four hours of cricket before I realized that I was actually just studying in the library.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Adrenaline? In most sports i would agree but baseball? I also have played some baseball and softball (horribly I may add) and i rarely had adrenaline. All you do is hit once every hour and go games without a ball hit your direction.

 

Now football was a sport where injuries can be forgotten. Once had a stage 3 separation of my shoulder and played rest of game...still felt it but could play. I also broke an arm and a finger, they were different. Playing with that broken finger was worst thing ever. No amount of adrenaline can mask certain injuries...such as a broken wrist...btw i just realized i got hurt a lot. College football takes some time off your life.

 

Perhaps a correlation there.

[jokin]

From Len3 http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/268039541.html?page=2&c=y :

 

 

Buxton gets exam

As a precaution, Class A Fort Myers outfielder Byron Buxton had an x-ray on his right wrist after being hit with a pitch Friday. The results came back negative.

 

Buxton, who has missed most of the season because of a sprained left wrist, missed his third consecutive game Monday and might miss a couple more.

[DaveW]

It sucks because we want to see him play, however as long as its not broken he will be fine.

 

As someone who got hit in the wrist in baseball two years ago, I can tell you that it hurts a helluva a lot worse the next day then it does at the time and another main issue is the swelling.

 

Of course that guy was throwing 80 MPH tops where Buxton prob got hit by 90+ so it has to be even more swollen. The good news is it isn't broken, and it's hard to fault the Twins for "keeping him in" players get hit literally every day in baseball and stay in the game, I get that he is a top prospect and all of that, but you can't treat him like fragile China. If he said he was fine, could still hold the bat/make the throws etc then he was fine at the time.

 

No real cause for alarm IMO, just some more "bad luck". Better to get it out of the way in the minors instead of the majors though! Give me a "lost" season in A+ then in the majors any day of the week (see Mauer's rookie season)