Byron Buxton Officially Joins Team USA

The Minnesota Twins are just a matter of weeks away from the start of Spring Training. Derek Falvey still has plenty of heavy lifting to do if he wants to give new manager Derek Shelton a chance to compete.

Byron Buxton is among the best things going for the Twins, and he’s coming off an MVP-worthy campaign. His continued clean bill of health has continued this offseason, and he has now officially joined Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.

MN Twins superstar representing in WBC

It was previously reported that Minnesota Twins centerfielder Byron Buxton was being included on the preliminary roster for Team USA. Now it has been made official that he will compete in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

This is the first time Byron Buxton will compete for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Some previous Twins to play in the global event include Jose Berrios (Puerto Rico), Carlos Correa (Puerto Rico), Pablo Lopez (Venezuela), Luis Arraez (Venezuela), Justin Morneau (Canada),, Edouard Julien (Canada), and plenty of others.

Buxton is not the only Minnesota player committed to Team USA for this World Baseball Classic cycle. Starting pitcher Joe Ryan is also on the squad. He was pitching for Team USA in the Olympics when the MN Twins acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays.

Byron Buxton with a cycle on bobblehead day! pic.twitter.com/tGTTkD9p1N

— Ted (@tlschwerz) July 12, 2025

In 126 games for the Twins last season, Buxton batted .264/.327/.551 with 21 doubles, seven triples, 35 home runs, and 24 stolen bases. He completed the first cycle in Target Field history, and his 5.0 fWAR was a career-best.

Twins can provide WBC highlights

Last time the World Baseball Classic took place we got a showdown unlike any other. With the title on the line, Mike Trout stepped in against Shohei Ohtani while they were both teammates for the Los Angeles Angels.

Some of the most memorable moments from the 2023 World Baseball Classic

A THREAD 🧵

1. Shohei Ohtani strikes out Mike Trout and Japan wins the WBC title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Qe2mDGlP6R

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 21, 2024

Obviously Buxton and Ryan won’t be competing against each other, but there is plenty of connective tissue across the sport that they will come up against. Both Ryan and Buxton represent key pieces for Team USA. Each player is capable of providing Minnesota Twins fans some additional excitement in between Grapefruit League play.

Team USA begins pool play at 7pm on March 6th in Houston. Buxton and Ryan will remain away from the MN Twins during spring training while they compete for a WBC trophy.