Buxton, Ryan ‘run it back’ for Twins at 2026 All-Star Game

NEW YORK -- For the second consecutive year, Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan will represent the Twins at the Midsummer Classic.

“It’s déjà vu getting to run it back with Buck [Buxton],” Ryan said. “We were talking about it a couple of weeks ago, ‘Are we running this back?’ So I’m just really excited.”

“I couldn’t be more happy to run it back with Joe,” added Buxton.

Buxton, Minnesota’s star center fielder, received 20 percent of the fan vote to earn a starting nod at the 2026 All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. He joins the Angels’ Mike Trout (24 percent) and the Yankees’ Aaron Judge (19 percent) in the American League outfield, though both players are currently on the injured list.

The All-Star nod is well deserved for Buxton, who is enjoying one of the finest years of his career in his age-32 season. He leads all qualified AL outfielders with an .898 OPS, has more home runs (25) than all but three players in the Majors, and is playing elite defense in center field.

“To be able to represent the Twins, to be able to start the season good and be recognized for this is special,” Buxton said. “... It’s one of those things where I’ve been blessed. I’ve been able to play, haven’t been hurt too much, haven’t been on the IL. It’s the little things that add up to this.”

Buxton previously started the All-Star Game in 2022 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. As a reserve in 2025, he had the opportunity to play 190 miles from where he grew up in Baxley, Ga., at Truist Park in Atlanta.

This year is special for a different reason.

“I truly think this is the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball,” Buxton said. “With the support that we have in here, the resilience that the team has, everything that makes this group us. I know I wouldn’t be here without them.”

That includes Ryan, who pitched a 1-2-3 fourth inning in his first Midsummer Classic in 2025. He’ll represent the Twins in Philadelphia after posting a 3.61 ERA in 18 starts and 113 strikeouts across 97 1/3 innings so far in the first half.

Here’s a bit more on each of the Twins’ All-Star selections:

Byron Buxton, OF
Previous All-Star appearances: 2 (2022, 2025)
Something to know: Buxton started slow after getting limited playing time in the World Baseball Classic in March, but has arguably been baseball’s best player since mid-April. He hit 17 homers in May and June. Oh, and by the way, he hasn’t been caught stealing since 2024, going 31-for-31 in stolen-base attempts during that span. While he’s been dealing with a nagging hip issue, it hasn’t affected his production.

Joe Ryan, RHP
Previous All-Star appearances: 1 (2025)
Something to know: Ryan is one of baseball’s best pitchers -- with one of the game’s best fastballs, doing it without elite velocity. Ryan ranks in the 30th percentile in fastball velocity per Statcast, with his four-seamer coming in below 94 mph. But nobody can square it up due to its plus ride and his exceptional command.