Byron Buxton's broken finger required surgery to repair, but the procedure to insert a pin to reinforce the bone went without a problem and the Twins' top prospect is expected to be ready for spring training next February.
Buxton fractured the middle finger on his left hand on Monday while diving for a ball during an Arizona Fall League game. The injury was originally diagnosed as a dislocation, but a hand specialist discovered the fracture.
Buxton and the Twins had hoped the fracture would heal without operating, but after additional consultation, Twins' minor-league director Brad Steil confirmed Friday, the decision was made to place the pin inside the finger, a procedure which took place Thursday morning in Arizona.
The damage wasn't as bad as doctors feared, which could speed up his return. Buxton has been told to rest his left hand while it heals, which will limit his ability to swing a bat this winter. But doctors expect him to be able to resume training for the 2015 season by January, well before Twins' camp opens in February.
The 20-year-old center fielder appeared in 13 AFL games with the Salt River Rafters, hoping to salvage some playing time after an injury-plagued 2014 season. He was batting .263 with five stolen bases when he was injured.
It's the third injury that Buxton has sustained while diving for fly balls this season. He severely sprained his left wrist on a similar play during the end of training camp last March, costing him nearly three months, and he suffered a concussion during a collision with another outfielder while playing for Class AA New Britain in August.
Buxton, rated the No. 1 prospect in baseball by Baseball America before the season, also suffered a sore shoulder, bruised toe and bruised right wrist during the season, limiting him to just 31 games.
