Twins News: Connor Prielipp takes big step, Yankees & Rays scout Ryan Jeffers, Cubs series

Twins LHP Connor Prielipp makes rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul

Prielipp made a rehab start for the Saints on Sunday. He allowed no runs, no hits and one walk with three strikeouts across three innings. The southpaw threw 32 pitches.

According to Zone Coverage Minnesota's Theodore Tollefson, Prielipp will throw a bullpen later in the week.

The Twins placed Prielipp, 25, on the injured list on July 9 due to a left middle finger blister. Prielipp is on pace to set his personal innings record this year and has suffered numerous injuries throughout his career. His injury history may have influenced Minnesota's decision to place the left-hander on the IL.

The Twins recalled Prielipp to make his MLB debut on April 22. He has posted a 5.00 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP and 71 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings across 13 starts for Minnesota this year.

New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays scout Twins star Ryan Jeffers at Wrigley Field

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Yankees and Rays sent scouts to Wrigley Field over the weekend to "closely watch Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers."

The Rays and the Yankees are almost certainly planning to buy at the trade deadline. The Rays are in first place in the AL East with a 56-42 record, leading the second-place Yankees by two games. New York holds the first AL Wild Card spot.

While the Yankees and Rays appear to be the favorites to win the AL Pennant, both teams need catching help. If Minnesota makes Jeffers available at the trade deadline, there's a good chance the teams would be willing to give up an attractive haul of prospects for the Twins catcher, who is set to be a free agent at the end of this season.

Unfortunately for New York and Tampa Bay, the Twins are right in the thick of the postseason race. If Minnesota remains in playoff contention over the next couple of weeks, the club will likely keep Jeffers rather than trade him.

Twins lose series against Cubs at Wrigley Field

Jeffers hit a three-run home run as the Twins won Game 1 of the three-game series against the Cubs by a score of 5-2 on Friday.

The rest of the weekend went poorly for Minnesota. The Twins lost Game 2 by a score of 6-2 on Saturday. Minnesota nearly brought the tying run to the plate, but poor baserunning all but assured Chicago would claim the victory.

Sunday's game was a complete disaster. Zebby Matthews surrendered 10 runs (eight earned) on nine hits and three walks as the Cubs won 10-1. A misplay from center fielder Luke Keaschall broke the game open in the third inning.

After the series loss, the Twins' record fell to 49-51. Minnesota is now two games back of the Boston Red Sox, who have won 13 games in a row, for the third AL Wild Card spot and four games back of the Chicago White Sox for first place in the American League Central.

The Twins are set to begin a crucial four-game series against the Cleveland Guardians at 5:40 p.m. CDT on Monday. Joe Ryan will start the series opener. Tanner Bibee is slated to start for Cleveland.

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