Buxton placed on 7-day concussion IL after collision with Correa

MILWAUKEE -- Thursday’s outfield collision between Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton in Baltimore has now landed both Twins stars on the injured list.

Buxton was placed on the 7-day concussion IL on Saturday, one day after Correa. Buxton's move is retroactive to Friday. It is expected that the corresponding move will be the addition of slugging outfielder Carson McCusker, who is off to a great start at Triple-A St. Paul. The Twins would need to make room for McCusker on the 40-man roster, something they could accomplish by moving Luke Keaschall (right forearm fracture) to the 60-day injured list.

Buxton, who entered concussion protocol Thursday, remained there Friday, traveling with the club to Milwaukee and undergoing evaluation before the Twins’ series opener against the Brewers. He did not play Friday, and the Twins had three days from when he was placed in concussion protocol to either activate him or place him on the IL.

There is no time frame for Correa or Buxton to return.

“You’ve just got to be very thoughtful and aware,” said manager Rocco Baldelli, “and there's a reason why this is the type of injury that we have these types of protocols for, and many, many steps and clearances that you have to go through. … I wouldn't even think of talking about timelines or expectations. There are none. We're going to go day by day, and we hope for improvement and we'll keep a good close eye on our guys as will the doctors.”

Correa and Buxton are part of a wave of injuries that has hit the Twins. Willi Castro, who fouled a ball off of his right knee on Friday night, was held out of Saturday’s lineup and told reporters prior to the game that he will likely miss a couple of days. Harrison Bader returned to action Saturday after missing two games due to left groin tightness.

The collision is a terrible break for Buxton, who had been enjoying a long season-opening run of health and productivity. He missed time in May 2024 with right knee inflammation and later in the season with right hip inflammation. Buxton still managed to play 102 games last year, his highest total since he played a career-high 140 games back in 2017.

It will be the Major League debut for McCusker, who has captured fans’ imagination by putting up huge numbers at St. Paul. An alumnus of the independent Frontier League who signed with the Twins organization in 2023, McCusker has a .350/.412/.650 slash line in 38 games with St. Paul this season. That follows a breakout 2024 when he hit .282/.353/.488 between St. Paul and Double-A Wichita in 122 games.

Matthews expected to start
In addition to the injury-related moves, the Twins have brought Zebby Matthews to Milwaukee with the expectation that he will start Sunday’s series finale at American Family Field. That has not been formally announced yet, nor has any potential corresponding move for when Matthews is added to the 26-man roster.

Minnesota optioned Simeon Woods Richardson, who had been in the rotation since Opening Day, to St. Paul following Wednesday's doubleheader. Matthews was arguably the best pitcher in Spring Training for the Twins and has a 1.93 ERA in seven starts in Triple-A this year.