How will Buxton perform to begin the regular season?
The Minnesota Twins are currently preparing for the season at spring training. Meanwhile, Byron Buxton and Team USA finished the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday night, as they were defeated 3-2 by Team Venezuela in the championship game.
Buxton is now set to return to the Twins. He will get to spend some time with the ball club before Opening Day, but the reality is that Buxton has not received a lot of game-action over the past couple of weeks.
Buxton technically appeared in five of Team USA's seven games. However, he was pinch-hit for or used as a late-game replacement at times. Overall. Buxton only had seven at-bats.
Do the Twins Suddenly Have a Byron Buxton Concern?
It would be one thing if limited playing time was the only concern. However, Buxton failed to record a hit. He struck out four times. Buxton reached base once via a walk and recorded one RBI and one run scored, but he did not do much else from an offensive standpoint.
Buxton has dealt with injury concerns throughout his career. The Twins will need to proceed with caution. One has to wonder if he will be ready for Opening Day at this point.
Buxton did have 13 at-bats before leaving for the WBC. Still, 20 at-bats is far from ideal with only a little over a week before the regular season. He will likely get a few more games in during spring training, but this could be a problem for the Twins.
Of course, that is part of the risk in participating in the World Baseball Classic, especially for a squad like Team USA. Despite the loss, the USA's roster was one of the best in recent memory. It featured no shortage of talent and depth.
That also means that stars may not receive as many at-bats. Players who are among the best on their MLB teams such as Buxton, Cal Raleigh and Alex Bregman saw limited playing time with Team USA.
So, do the Twins have a Buxton concern?
In all reality, the outfielder will probably be alright. Even if Minnesota needs to give him a few days off early in the season, his lack of WBC playing time should not prove to be too much of a concern.
With that being said, the situation could end up being a challenge as the Twins start the season. It will be something to monitor.