Team USA made a decision on Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton on Tuesday.
Team USA made a notable lineup decision ahead of its final pool‑play matchup in the World Baseball Classic, involving star center fielder Byron Buxton.
Buxton, who is representing the United States in the tournament for the first time in his career, had been expected to play a key role for the club thanks to his combination of power, speed and elite defense. However, his start to the tournament has been quiet offensively.
Through his first two appearances during pool play, Buxton had yet to record a hit. While it is only a small sample size, the slow start may have factored into Team USA’s decision as the club prepared for its final group‑stage game.
Team USA ultimately made the call to adjust its lineup before facing Italy. Manager Mark DeRosa decided not to include Buxton in the lineup for Tuesday’s WBC game against Italy, as Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong started in his place.
The move allows the younger outfielder an opportunity to contribute while also potentially giving Buxton a chance to reset after a quiet start at the plate.
Buxton’s tournament also included a brief scare earlier in pool play. During Team USA’s opener against Brazil, the veteran outfielder was hit by a pitch in the forearm. While the moment raised concerns given Buxton’s long injury history, he fortunately avoided any serious damage and was able to continue participating in the tournament.
Health has been a recurring theme throughout Buxton’s career. Since being selected with the second overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins, the talented outfielder has consistently shown superstar ability but has also battled injuries that have limited his playing time.
When healthy, however, Buxton has proven to be one of the most dynamic players in baseball. The 2025 season was a perfect example of that potential.
Buxton enjoyed one of the best years of his career, appearing in 126 games and posting impressive numbers across the board. He hit .264 with a .327 on‑base percentage and a .878 OPS while launching 35 home runs, driving in 83 runs and stealing 24 bases.
Those performances earned Buxton his second career All‑Star selection, his first Silver Slugger Award and an eleventh‑place finish in American League MVP voting.
Following the tournament, Buxton will return to Minnesota as the face of the Twins organization. However, after the club’s roster teardown at last year’s trade deadline, his long‑term future with the team has occasionally surfaced in trade speculation, even if those rumors have been temporarily quieted.
For now, the focus remains on the WBC and helping Team USA advance deeper into the tournament.