Twins stars Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton collide and face concussion protocol

In Baltimore, during a game on May 16, 2025, Minnesota Twins teammates Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton experienced a significant collision while chasing a shallow fly ball hit by Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins. Correa was pursuing the ball from shortstop while Buxton raced in from center field. Just before the collision, it appeared that Buxton called for the ball, but it was too late. The impact knocked both players to the ground, leaving them immobile for several moments before receiving medical attention. Correa immediately exited the game, replaced by Jonah Bride, while Buxton remained for the rest of the third inning before also leaving the game prior to the fourth inning, leading to his replacement by Ty France. Following the collision, both players were placed in concussion protocol, indicating that the team was taking their health seriously despite both showing no immediate signs of a concussion. The collision came at a critical time for the Twins, who were riding an impressive 10-game winning streak and sought to improve their standings in the competitive AL Central division. Before the accident, Correa had been performing well, missing only three games all season due to scheduled rest days. Meanwhile, Buxton, who struggled with injuries throughout his career, had shown better health presence, participating in 41 of the team’s first 44 games that season. The collision raised serious concerns about the players' health and the team’s prospects following the injuries to two of their key members. In the immediate aftermath, the team reacted by holding both players out of the lineup for the first game of a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Twins bench coach Jayce Tingler shared insights into the incident, noting that the communication between Correa and Buxton may have been compromised by the crowd noise, making it difficult for them to properly coordinate during the play. The players’ health remains a top priority as the team navigates their way through a tight playoff race. Both players have a history of injuries, as Correa has struggled with foot issues limiting his games in the past couple of seasons, while Buxton has routinely faced setbacks, often being utilized as a designated hitter. This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers players face daily, particularly during critical plays. Given both players' careers have been riddled with injuries, the team will need to monitor their progression carefully through the concussion protocol to ensure that they return to the field only when they are fully prepared to contribute without risk to their health. This unfortunate collision not only affects the players but challenges the team's roster depth as they look to maintain momentum in their ongoing pursuit of success in the AL Central. The team holds hopes for recovery and returning to form as the season progresses, emphasizing the importance of communication in preventing similar incidents in the future.