Minnesota Twins Make Byron Buxton Change Before Tigers Game
· Yahoo Sports
The Minnesota Twins are making an adjustment as they look to generate some more offense in 2026, and it involves their franchise superstar, Byron Buxton.
After a slow start at the plate, the Twins are turning back to a familiar approach in hopes of getting their center fielder going. Through the first stretch of the season, Minnesota has experimented with different leadoff hitters, but the latest move signals a shift toward what has worked in the past.
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The Twins announced their lineup for Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, and Buxton was moved up in the batting order to leadoff for the first time this season.
It is a notable change considering Buxton had hit second in each of the team’s first eight games, while players like Kody Clemens and Trevor Larnach rotated through the leadoff spot. However, this move aligns more closely with how the Twins utilized Buxton during his excellent 2025 campaign.
Twins’ first real lineup shakeup of the season: Byron Buxton is back in the leadoff spot.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) April 6, 2026
Trevor Larnach takes over the No. 2 spot and Luke Keaschall stays at No. 3.
Last season, Buxton started 93 of his 126 games in the leadoff role, where he thrived as both a power threat and table-setter. The Twins are likely hoping a return to that spot will help him shake off his early slump.
So far in 2026, Buxton has struggled to find consistency, recording just four hits in his first 30 at-bats, an uncharacteristic start for a player of his caliber.
That slow start comes on the heels of the best season of his career. In 2025, Buxton finally stayed mostly healthy and delivered across the board, posting a .264 batting average, .327 on-base percentage and .878 OPS with 35 home runs, 83 RBIs and 24 stolen bases. He earned his second career All-Star selection, his first Silver Slugger Award and finished 11th in American League MVP voting.
Despite Buxton’s individual success, the Twins struggled as a team and ultimately reshaped much of their roster at the trade deadline. Now in a transitional phase, Minnesota is leaning heavily on Buxton as the face of the franchise.
The 32-year-old has spent his entire career with the Twins since being selected second overall in the 2012 MLB Draft, and he remains under contract through the 2028 season on a seven-year $100 million extension that includes a no-trade clause.
However, with the team clearly in a retooling phase, questions about his long-term future could eventually arise, especially if a contender comes calling and Buxton is willing to consider a move.
For now, though, the focus is on getting him back on track. A return to the leadoff spot could be exactly what he needs to rediscover his form and help ignite a Twins offense still searching for consistency early in the season.