Byron Buxton was named to Team USA for the World Baseball Classic and is likely to miss most spring training. Betting impact: avoid early-season player props tied to full prep; consider season-long Buxton props (home runs, total bases) if you expect him to maintain his strong 2025 form into 2026.
Byron Buxton Officially Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic
Twins outfielder Byron Buxton has been officially named to the Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic. He joins fellow Twin Joe Ryan among the MLB representatives, lining up with stars such as Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes and Gunnar Henderson for the international tournament running March 5–17.
What This Means for Spring Training and Opening Day
MLB spring training begins Feb. 20, and Buxton and Ryan are expected to miss most of the Grapefruit League schedule as they prepare for the WBC. Minnesota opens the regular season Thursday, March 26 against the Orioles, so both players could arrive to camp on an altered timeline compared with teammates who skip the Classic.
Buxton’s Form and 2026 Outlook
Buxton enters the WBC coming off one of his healthiest and most productive professional seasons. In 2025 he hit .264 with 35 home runs and 82 RBIs and turned 32 in December. If he carries that momentum into 2026, Buxton could be a major offensive factor for the Twins — though his reduced spring workload raises questions about early-season conditioning.
WBC Context and Twins’ International Representation
The World Baseball Classic returns after a thrilling 2023 tournament that ended with Japan defeating the USA in the final. In the previous Classic, Minnesota sent eight players to represent three nations: Jose De Leon, Jorge Lopez, Jovani Moran, Emilio Pagan, Dereck Rodriguez and Christian Vazquez for Puerto Rico; Pablo Lopez for Venezuela; and Eddy Julien for Canada. Many national rosters remain in flux, so more Twins could surface on other teams as final lineups are announced.
Betting Considerations
Buxton’s WBC participation affects wagering angles. Expect uncertainty around early-season game-by-game or short-term player props due to limited spring prep. For season-long markets, bettors may favor Buxton’s power-based props if they believe his 2025 performance will carry over, while monitoring injury updates and workload during the tournament.
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