During Team USA's exhibition match against the Colorado Rockies in Arizona yesterday, Twins center fielder Byron Buxton pinch-hit for designated hitter Kyle Schwarber in the sixth inning and delivered an RBI single. In his next at-bat, the Twins star hit a solo homer to left field in the eighth, prompting USA stars Aaron Judge and Pete Crow-Armstrong to hit the signature Buck Truck celebration.
Team USA stars Pete Crow-Armstrong, Aaron Judge hit Buck Truck celebration
Aaron Judge and Pete Crow-Armstrong hit the signature Buck Truck celebration after Buxton went deep for Team USA! pic.twitter.com/ZC3gd0ytVs
— Puckett's Pond (@PuckettsPond) March 4, 2026
Seeing a three-time MVP and one of the best young stars in the game celebrate Buxton's homer will have Twins fans fired up to watch Team USA in the WBC. Buxton and Team USA will begin pool play, held at Daikin Park in Houston, with a matchup against Team Brazil at 7:00 p.m. CST on Friday.
What will be Byron Buxton's role for Team USA during the WBC?
It's unclear what Buxton's exact role in the WBC will be. Per Aaron Gleeman of the Gleeman and the Geek podcast, Twins manager Derek Shelton expects Buxton to only play as a center fielder or designated hitter during the tournament. Buxton could be Team USA's starting center fielder for the whole tournament, but he could also platoon with Crow-Armstrong, a left-handed hitter, in center field. It's hard to imagine the Twins star gets starts at DH with Schwarber on the team.
It's doubtful Crow-Armstrong will play corner outfield during the tournament if Buxton isn't going to either, as Crow-Armstrong is the stronger defender of the two. Assuming Buxton and Crow-Armstrong are both locked in at the center field position, Roman Anthony and Judge will be the starting left fielder and right fielder, respectively.
With one of Buxton or Crow-Armstrong likely to be on the bench for Team USA during each game of the tournament, the nation will have a strong pinch-runner/hitter option off the bench.
After its game against Brazil, the United States, the heavy favorites to win Pool B, will take on Great Britain at 7:00 p.m. CST on Saturday, Mexico at 7:00 p.m. CST on Monday and Italy at 8:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday.
Two teams from Team USA's pool 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 take place at LoanDepot Park on March 17.