Twins' prospect Buxton has collision in outfield, loses consciousness

THURSDAY, 1:54pm ET: In the hospital, Buxton was given a CT scan, which luckily came back negative. He suffered no broken bones. However, he does have a concussion, and the likelihood of a September call-up for Buxton seems out of the question. 

"It could have been a lot worse," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said on the MiLBTV internet broadcast. "We are grateful for the concussion. That was very scary."

As for Kvasnicka, he has a bruised hip and will be out for just a few days. 

WEDNESDAY: Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Byron Buxton suffered what looked to be a few serious injuries Wednesday evening. Buxton, making his Double-A New Britain debut and playing center field, collided with right fielder Mike Kvasnicka, reportedly losing consciousness. He was carted off the field on a stretcher and was taken to a hospital by ambulance.

Buxton is the number one prospect in all of baseball as ranked by MLB.com, but has failed to progress this season due to injuries throughout the season. Buxton was expected to be in Double-A earlier in the season, but his debut was pushed back so he could gain experience in the lower levels of the minor leagues. However, in his debut tonight, Buxton got bit by the injury bug again, which may end his season, and perhaps his career if the injury is serious. 

The Twins selected Buxton second overall in the 2012 MLB Draft, and he has progressed nicely in the minor leagues, slashing a .301/.390/.487 line with 21 home runs and 113 RBI in 897 plate appearances during his minor league stay. 

The 20-year-old appeared to be hit by Kvasnicka's knee in his left shoulder and was down for approximately 10 minutes. He did not appear to be moving. Kvasnicka was up and walking following the collision, but Rock Cats broadcasters said that he went with Buxton to the hospital, likely for precautionary reasons. Play was halted for 35 minutes, as Twins general manager Terry Ryan, who was in attendance, went down to the Rock Cats dugout. 

Stay tuned here at Cover Those Bases and follow Devan on Twitter @CoverThoseBases as the story on Buxton and other news develops.

Photo credits to Scott Blanchette of the New Britain Rock Cats on Twitter. 

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