From Buxton's surge to surprise moves, takeaways at Twins' midway mark

This story was excerpted from Matthew Leach’s Twins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MINNEAPOLIS – Following a surge through mid-June, the Twins wobbled a bit as they hit the 81-game mark, dropping their first two games to the Dodgers to start a homestand. It’s been that kind of year, down and up and down and back up again, and Minnesota’s 38-43 record at the season’s midpoint is probably a fair reflection of how the team has played.

As for how they got to this point? It’s been quite a ride. Here’s a look at some of the highs and lows of the first half of the ’26 season:

The story of the season: Byron Buxton
He had a stop-and-start spring, not getting nearly as many at-bats as he hoped in the World Baseball Classic, and started slow. Since mid-April, he’s been at least arguably the best player in the American League. Buxton has crushed 25 homers, played his usual excellent center field defense and grown into an increased leadership role.

Maybe best of all? He’s going to be around for a while. General manager Jeremy Zoll made a point to emphasize on Tuesday that the club has no interest in asking Buxton to waive his full no-trade protection. The face of the franchise is sticking around, and he’s well on his way to his second All-Star start.

Biggest disappointment: Pitching health
The Twins entered Spring Training with eight legitimate candidates for their starting rotation. Two of them -- Pablo López and David Festa -- haven’t thrown a pitch in a game. Two more -- Mick Abel and Bailey Ober -- are currently on the injured list. Kendry Rojas, who started the year as something like the ninth or 10th option, has also spent time on the IL though he’s currently healthy.

Best surprise: Yoendrys Gómez
At the end of April, Gómez had worn out his welcome in the Rays bullpen with an ERA over 6.00. He had almost as many walks as strikeouts and was averaging a homer every other appearance. But the Twins, in dire need of live arms in their bullpen, took a flyer on him, and it’s worked out brilliantly.

Since arriving, Gómez has refined his pitch mix and emerged as first a trusted high-leverage option and now something very close to the team’s closer. He’s missing bats, throwing strikes, and keeping the ball in the park, and providing backend stability from which manager Derek Shelton can build out with the rest of his relief corps.

Most unexpected transactions: Royce Lewis and Matt Wallner to Triple-A
There was almost no player that Shelton prioritized more highly in the offseason than Lewis, whose immense potential and 2025 struggles made him one of the most pivotal figures coming into the ’26 season. As for Wallner, even after a rough ’25, he began the year not only playing regularly but playing pretty much every day – even against left-handed pitching.

Then both homegrown sluggers fell into deep slumps. And both found themselves optioned to Triple-A St. Paul. Fortunately they both made the most of it. Lewis began raking almost immediately and earned himself a recall. Wallner started a bit slow but has come on strong, putting pressure on the club to consider bringing him back as well.

Biggest moves: Just about every hitter, all over the field
If there’s been one hallmark of Shelton’s managerial tenure thus far, it’s positional versatility. Kody Clemens emerged as the primary first baseman for a while, and has also played some center field. Brooks Lee moved from shortstop to third base when Lewis was optioned. Lewis played a little bit of second base and seems to have settled in as the starting first baseman for now. Austin Martin took over as the main right fielder for a while, and now seems to be playing more left.

Aside from Buxton, Luke Keaschall and Ryan Jeffers, this team basically doesn’t have one-position players.