Good health begins at home for Buxton

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- After the first day of full-squad workouts on Monday, Twins center fielder Byron Buxton stood in front of his locker and said he is planning to stay healthy this year. For him, that is a bold statement, considering that he hasn’t played a full season since 2017 because of injuries.

Now in his second decade with Minnesota, Buxton, 31, has a reason to be optimistic about 2025. After coming back from right hip inflammation last Sept. 12, Buxton had a slash line of .300/.340/.500 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 12 games. Because of his strong finish, Buxton ended up having a normal offseason in his home state of Georgia. For the first time since after ‘17, he didn’t have to worry about rehabbing his body in another city. What was his offseason program like this time?

“Simple: Stay healthy,” Buxton said. “I got my own stuff. I got my own gym. I didn’t have to go anywhere. The trainers … strength coach [and] hitting coach came. So there were a few people who came to the house. I didn’t have to go anywhere. It was one of those things where I’m getting everything I need to get done [at home]. Then I was around my family, which is the most important thing to me.”

If Monday was any indication, Buxton practiced as if he were ready for Opening Day. Maybe he said it best: It was like being a kid in a candy store eating Skittles. He spent a good portion of the day at Stelly Field, which is a few yards away from the Lee Health Sports Complex.

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There, Buxton was playing catch in the outfield before taking several rounds of batting practice. He wasn’t trying to hit home runs, just line drives to the outfield. Buxton then ran the bases before participating in live outfield practice. Before ending his day, Buxton walked over to the sports complex and participated in live batting practice, facing pitchers Bailey Ober and Jorge Alcala.

“The first day was good,” Buxton said. “Obviously, getting back into the groove and seeing everybody. It’s the start of baseball.”

One thing Buxton wants to do this year is help the Twins get to the postseason. Last August, they were battling the Guardians, Royals and Tigers for a postseason spot. But after going 9-18 in September, Minnesota was eliminated, while the other three American League Central teams played October baseball.

“I remember it. But I’m not about to let it [get] me down to the point of getting in the way of what we can do this year,’ Buxton said. “I know what kind of team we have based on the conversations [we’ve had] in here. I’m [not] looking at last year, not looking back.”

During the Twins’ first full-squad meeting of 2025, manager Rocco Baldelli told his players about playing in the World Series in ‘08 with the Rays and losing to the Phillies. Buxton wants to help Minnesota reach the Fall Classic and win it all with Baldelli at the helm.

“[Baldelli] knows what we need to do to get where we want to get to,” Buxton said. “[Hearing what he said about his own experiences as a player] and knowing how hungry he is, it makes you want it more.”