Joe Ryan was hoping for a return trip to the All-Star Game without the politicking required a year ago. Though he wasn’t focused on it, Byron Buxton wouldn’t have minded being voted a starter by the fans.Each Minnesota Twins player got his wish on Saturday night.Not only did Ryan learn he made the American League’s All-Star roster for a second straight year, Buxton found out that he was voted in as a starter for the first time in his career. It’s the third All-Star nod for Buxton and the second year in a row he’ll participate in the All-Star Game, which will be played July 14 in Philadelphia.“I’m really excited,” Ryan told reporters in New York on Saturday. “It’s kind of deja vu getting to go back with Buck, too. We were talking about it a couple of weeks ago. We were excited. It’s been a good year.”Highlights of the 2026 Futures Game rostersKeith LawIt’s been a fantastic year for Buxton, who returned to the lineup Saturday after he missed four games with a hip injury. He doubled in a run in his first at-bat, walked and had a sacrifice fly as the Twins routed the New York Yankees 11-4 at Yankee Stadium.Buxton is hitting .269/.326/.574 with 25 home runs and 45 RBIs in 74 games played for the Twins, who improved to 43-47. With 25 round-trippers, Buxton is tied with Tampa Bay Rays slugger Junior Caminero for second in the AL, behind Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (27). It’s an impressive follow-up to the center fielder’s career year in 2025, when he hit 35 homers.Finally healthy after years of missing time with injuries, Buxton is at long last getting his due as one of the game’s top players.“To be recognized like that, it means a lot,” Buxton told reporters in New York. “It’s been a little bit longer road to get to this spot. But to finally get here, and know it’s deserving, makes it special.”Ryan deserved his nod last year, but needed to work for it. He was flustered when he originally was left off the team when it was announced on July 6, 2025.But then Twins manager Rocco Baldelli worked back channels, reaching out to AL manager Aaron Boone to let him know Ryan would be available to pitch if he were added to the squad. Three days later, Ryan was named an injury replacement for Houston’s Hunter Brown.This time around, Ryan, who is 5-5 with a 3.61 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 97 1/3 innings, won’t have to wait. Instead, he can focus on pitching in Sunday’s series finale as the Twins look to win their first series at Yankee Stadium since 2014.Though Ryan is geeked to go to Philadelphia, his focus Saturday was on the Twins’ offense and the team’s upcoming games. Asked twice about the All-Star Game, Ryan mostly deferred to an offense he’s “leaned on” before saying the Twins have important games ahead that can determine what the front office does at the Aug. 3 deadline.Asked what’s been the key to his success, Ryan mentioned consistency in his performances and then focused on his teammates.“That’s what we were trying to go for this year,” Ryan said. “Last year was getting on the team and crossing that bridge. Now, doing it again and thinking, ‘We’ve got to keep winning baseball games.’ We’ve got a good stretch this month ahead of us to put our foot down and put ourselves in a spot to add in a month. Keep going from there and play baseball as long as we can this year, keep it rolling.”Buxton acknowledged being excited at the chance to “run it back with Joe.” He’s enjoyed himself immensely this season, and his joy for playing is spilling over into the clubhouse.Led by Buxton, the Twins are the top run-scoring team in the AL this season, averaging 4.9 per game. Minnesota belted six home runs at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. Josh Bell homered from each side of the plate, becoming only the seventh Twins player to accomplish the feat. Second on the team to Buxton in homers, Kody Clemens went deep for a third straight game and finished with three RBIs.“This year is different,” Buxton said. “This group of guys in here, this is the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball. With the support we have in here, the resilience the team has, everything that makes this group us. It’s been a special group. I know I wouldn’t be here without them.”Matthews exits early with cut on footTwins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews was on cruise control until he wasn’t. The Twins pitcher posted three scoreless innings as the team grabbed an early six-run lead, but then nearly gave it away.Matthews allowed a pair of home runs and four runs overall before he exited with two outs in the fifth inning with a laceration on his right foot, the team said.