Manager Derek Shelton held extensive discussions with Buxton about the roster move, emphasizing the player's commitment to the franchise.
"The greatest strength of Byron Buxton is how much he is a team-first person," Shelton said.
"When we started to talk about where his body was at, where we're at in the schedule, and how he felt, ultimately we came to the decision that was the best."
The IL stint ensures Buxton receives 12 days of recovery while missing only a six-game homestand.
Currently, Minnesota holds a 45-47 record and sits three games out of first place in the AL Central.
In other team health updates, starting pitcher Bailey Ober threw a bullpen session on Tuesday following right elbow inflammation.
Prospect Kaelen Culpepper returned to the minor league seven-day injured list after a recurrence of glute soreness.
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"Hopefully that it's certainly more on the minor side than not, but we'll get a better sense in the days to come of an exact timeline," Zoll said.
