Twins outfielder Byron Buxton leaves game with back tightness after making amazing catch

Byron Buxton, who has been making waves all year in Minnesota’s outfield, made one of his signature catches right when it counted to steal a hit from the Yankees.

If you’ve been paying attention to him this season, this catch doesn’t come as much of a surprise. But for those just getting acquainted with Buxton’s outfield play, welcome to the party. He’s so fun to watch and he makes catches like this all the time. It’s great.

The best part is that if you look at the trajectory of the ball, Buxton almost certainly did not have to jump to catch this ball. Apparently he’s so used to needing to leap, sprawl, and scramble to get to balls that he does it for every play no matter what.

We are absolutely not complaining about that.

Ervin Santana’s reaction was appropriate, as it’s the golf clap of a pitcher who is thankful he has Spider-Man as an outfielder and can count on him to snag balls no matter where they are hit.

The catch wouldn’t matter as much a minute later, when the Yankees hit yet another home run to go up in the game 4-3, but it saved another run being tacked onto that tally.

Most importantly, it showed a national audience just how amazing it is to watch Buxton do the things he does in the field game in and game out.

UPDATE: Byron Buxton left the game in advance of the fourth inning, despite batting in the third after he made this catch. According to the Twins, he left with lower back tightness. He was replaced in the outfield by Zack Granite.

The Twins reported that he felt some tightness during his plate appearance and when he stole a base in the third inning, and that he couldn’t work through it after he realized things didn’t feel right. If the Twins end up winning the game, hopefully Buxton will be back to full health in time for the ALDS.