Battered Backstops: Jeffers and Vázquez Remain on the IL for Twins
With their top two catchers on the injured list, the Minnesota Twins have spent much of September relying on depth options while awaiting the return of Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vázquez. Jhonny Pereda and Mickey Gasper have stepped in, making the most of their opportunity at the Major League level. While it’s been exciting to see new talent get a shot, it’s now time to check in on the status of the Twins’ veteran backstops.
Ryan Jeffers - Concussion
For anyone who has experienced a concussion, you know that they are no joke. They can be frustratingly slow to return from and can flare up from the slightest movements. Jeffers hit the IL on September 7 (retroactive to Sept. 5) after taking two foul balls off of his face mask, resulting in the concussion mentioned above. He has been navigating concussion protocol since then.
The most recent update from the Twins injury and roster moves list from MLB.com was a bit more vague than most fans would hope for. Jeffers' return is listed as "TBD" after taking live batting practice on September 17. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli's comments revealed next to nothing, except that Jeffers has more benchmarks to clear before he'll make a rehab start.
Considering the amount of time left in the season and the nature of concussions in general, the Twins would be wise not to rush their primary catcher back before he is medically clear. Sadly, this may mean that he is done for 2025 unless things resolve quickly. Jeffers has been a bright spot in this otherwise dismal season, and unfortunately, it looks less and less likely we'll see him back on the field this season with each passing game. Hopefully, that comment won't age well, and he'll be back soon.
Christian Vázquez - Shoulder Infection
Now, for a bit of good news. After going to the 10-day IL on August 8, Vázquez began his rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints on September 18. Far be it from me to try to calculate how calendar days versus IL days work - it is good to see Christian back on the field. He started at DH in his Thursday debut and followed up on Friday behind the plate, going 1-4 as the Saints catcher. He is expected to return as early as tomorrow, September 21.
Vázquez's IL journey began when he was lifted from an early-August game due to swelling in his left shoulder. He was later hospitalized for an MRI-revealed infection in his shoulder, stemming from what was reported to be a cut on his elbow, as reported by Yahoo! Sports on August 8. After undergoing surgery in late August, Vázquez received a steady regimen of antibiotics via a PICC line.
The infection, while seeming to be one of the odder injuries in the Majors this year, was considered rather serious. Vázquez described the situation as "scary," but also commented on his desire to finish the season on the field, not the IL. His goal was to return for the final two road series of the season, and it looks as though he may be on the cusp of doing just that.
Jeffers and Vázquez Still On IL, Vázquez Close to Twins Return
With both Jeffers and Vázquez still on the injured list, the Twins will need to continue to rely on Pereda and Gasper as the season winds down. Vázquez is close to returning, while Jeffers remains a question mark as he works through lingering concussion symptoms. With the postseason out of reach as of one week ago, the veteran catchers have the opportunity to focus on finishing their seasons strong by recovering fully, without the pressure to rush back to the field - a luxury both nice to have and disappointing all at the same time.