For those who are rooting for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic (WBC), Friday was a fun start to the tournament. Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer, Brice Turang went 3-for-6 with four RBI, and Logan Webb allowed just one run in four innings as Team USA thrashed Team Brazil 15-5.
Twins center fielder Byron Buxton exits Team USA's game against Team Brazil on Friday
However, Team USA's win didn't come without putting Twins fans in panic mode. Byron Buxton started in center field and was hit by a pitch on his forearm in the fifth inning. The Twins star initially stayed in the game and scored on a bases-clearing double from Turang before being pulled in favor of Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to begin the sixth inning.
Byron Buxton left Team USA’s game against Brazil tonight after being hit by a pitch. pic.twitter.com/SlD6ZbiOt6
— Puckett's Pond (@PuckettsPond) March 7, 2026
Twins fans who saw Crow-Armstrong enter the game probably let out a loud groan. Not solely because Buxton was pulled, but because he exited after appearing to be hurt. Twins fans have seen this before.
Luckily, USA manager Mark DeRosa said Buxton is fine.
Byron Buxton injury update will calm Twins fans' nerves
"He got hit on the forearm. X-rays are fine. Just caught him in the meat of his forearm," DeRosa said to reporters after the game. "I just felt 7-1 at the time, get [Crow-Armstrong] in there, get him off his feet and get him right."
It's a huge relief for Twins fans to hear that Buxton isn't injured. While DeRosa's timing of taking out Buxton suggested the center fielder may be hurt, it made sense why the manager put Crow-Armstrong in the game. Team USA had a sizable lead at the time, making it the perfect moment to allow Crow-Armstrong to get some playing time. Hopefully, Buxton is back in the lineup for Team USA tonight when the nation takes on Great Britain, who lost their WBC opener against Team Mexico, at 7:00 CST at Daikin Park in Houston.
After taking on Great Britain, Team USA will play Mexico at 7:00 p.m. CST on Monday and Italy at 8:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday. USA is heavily favored to defeat Great Britain. The United States is also favored to beat Mexico and Italy, but those nations are expected to be tougher to beat than Great Britain and Brazil.
Two teams from Team USA's pool (B) will advance to the quarterfinals. If Team USA advances, the nation will play Pool A's second-place team at Daikin Park on Friday, March 13. The Semifinals will take place at LoanDepot Park in Miami on March 15 & 16, and the championship will also be at LoanDepot Park on March 17.