Minnesota Twins Send Message to Byron Buxton Amid Spring Training Departure
· Yahoo Sports
Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton is entering his 12th MLB season, all with Minnesota after being selected in the first round of the 2012 draft out of Appling County High School in Georgia. Over 11 seasons, he has hit .248 with 168 home runs, 436 RBIs and 523 runs scored. He won a Gold Glove Award in 2017 and captured his first Silver Slugger in 2025, which was a special campaign for multiple reasons.
Visit rocore.sbs for more information.
The 2025 season was one of Buxton’s most complete seasons of his career. Appearing in 126 games (most since 2017), he hit .264 with 35 home runs, 83 RBIs and 97 runs scored. The 35 home runs were a career high, but his 126 games played were the real story after multiple injury-shortened years.
On Saturday, Buxton prepared to depart for the World Baseball Classic where he is set to star for Team USA. The Twins acknowledged his departure with a post on X that read: “Good luck at the @WBCBaseball, Buck!”
Good luck at the @WBCBaseball, Buck! pic.twitter.com/uO0L6kTJNg
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) February 28, 2026
Buxton’s durability has been the primary storyline throughout his career, which made his decision to play high-intensity baseball this early in the spring one that many questioned. From 2018 through 2024, he reached 100 games just once. That made his 2025 durability notable, particularly entering a 2026 season in which he will be counted on as the one of the Twins’ lone veteran bats in their lineup.
Team USA will add Buxton’s speed and defense to an outfield group that already features several All-Star caliber players. Buxton has long been regarded as one of the top defensive center fielders in baseball, and his power/speed combo has also been a consistent part of his profile when healthy.
Buxton is under contract with Minnesota through 2028 after signing a seven-year, $100 million extension prior to the 2022 season. The Twins have built much of their current roster around his presence in center field and at the the top of the order. His availability will be a key factor as Minnesota looks to avoid being at the bottom of the AL Central in 2026.
The World Baseball Classic will provide late-season-level competition in March, but Buxton’s primary focus will return to Minnesota once Team USA’s run concludes. The Twins open the regular season shortly after the tournament ends.
For now, Buxton shifts to international play coming off a career-best power season and one of his healthiest years in recent memory.