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Buxton currently sits fourth in All-Star voting
Buxton ranks fourth in American League outfield voting and could move into the starting lineup if injuries sideline higher vote-getters.
Twins center fielder Byron Buxton is gaining momentum as an American League All-Star candidate, sitting fourth among outfielders as injuries to Aaron Judge and Mike Trout create a potential path for him to start the game.
At the first voting update released earlier this week, Buxton sat more than 36,000 votes behind Cody Bellinger, though Judge remains sidelined with a rib injury and Trout was recently placed on the injured list.
"This guy deserves to be a starting outfielder," manager Derek Shelton said, noting Buxton has 23 home runs tied for 10th in the majors and a.919 OPS, the highest in his career since 2021.
The Twins' best bet for a potential second All-Star representative is Joe Ryan, who has posted a 2.99 ERA across 87 1/3 innings pitched through the first portion of the season.
Major League Baseball will reveal the final All-Star rosters on July 4, with player ballot results determining replacements for any fan-voted starters unable to play.