Twins News: Catcher placed on concussion list, outfielder recalled, pitchers swapped

Ryan Jeffers will be out for a while.
San Diego Padres v Minnesota Twins
San Diego Padres v Minnesota Twins | Brace Hemmelgarn/GettyImages

Twins place catcher Ryan Jeffers on concussion injured list

The Twins have placed catcher Ryan Jeffers on the seven-day concussion injured list (retroactive to Friday), the team announced. Jeffers exited Thursday's game between the Twins and White Sox at Target Field after taking a foul ball off his mask. The Twins recalled catcher Jhonny Pereda and demoted outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. on Friday before officially placing Jeffers on the concussion list on Sunday. Until Jeffers or Christian Vázquez return (which they may not), Pereda and Mickey Gasper will split time at the backstop position for Minnesota.

Twins recall outfielder Carson McCusker

To replace Jeffers on the roster, the Twins recalled slugging outfielder Carson McCusker, who has two hits in nine plate appearances as a Twin this season. For Triple-A St. Paul this year, McCusker has slashed .246/.316/.479 for a 102 wRC+ with 22 homers and 70 RBIs. He started the 2025 campaign hot with the Saints, but has struggled in the second half of the season.

Twins recall right-handed pitcher Pierson Ohl, DFA right-handed pitcher Brooks Kriske

The Twins decided to end the Brooks Kriske experiment by designating the right-handed pitcher for assignment and recalling right-handed pitcher Pierson Ohl as a corresponding move, the team announced.

Kriske, whom the Twins claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs in early August, allowed 15 earned runs on 18 hits and 10 walks in 12 innings for Minnesota.

When the Twins claimed Kriske off waivers, they were looking to add someone with experience to eat innings after nearly the entire bullpen was traded away. At the end of the day, Kriske likely helped the Twins improve their odds in the 2026 Draft Lottery, but that probably wasn't the intention of the Twins front office when acquiring the former Cub.

The Twins likely decided to get rid of Kriske since he clearly has no future with the Twins, while Ohl has the potential to be a major-league bullpen arm next season. Ohl, who mainly relies on a four-seam/changeup combination, has made seven appearances (three starts) for the Twins this year, posting a 5.66 ERA with 16 strikeouts and five walks in 20 2/3 innings. Although he hasn't looked great at the big-league level quite yet, Ohl's minor league stats show promise, as the righty has a 2.40 ERA with 86 strikeouts and 11 walks in 71 1/3 innings across three minor-league levels this season.

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