Twins recall journeyman catcher Jhonny Pereda, option outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. as Ryan Jeffers deals with head injury
Less than two hours before Friday night's game between the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, the Twins recalled journeyman catcher Jhonny Pereda and demoted outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. as a corresponding move.
The Twins' main reason for recalling Pereda is likely due to Jeffers's head contusion, which Jeffers suffered during Thursday's game against the Chicago White Sox at Target Field.
#MNTwins announced Ryan Jeffers was removed from the game with a head injury.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) September 5, 2025
He took a foul ball off the mask earlier.
Jeffers hasn't been placed on the injured list, meaning the Twins are likely hoping he can return at some point before the season ends. Assuming Jeffers will be sidelined for at least a few more games, the Twins will have to rely on Pereda and Mickey Gasper at the catcher position, as Christian Vázquez has been out for about a month due to a right shoulder infection that required surgery. With the Twins having less than a month of baseball left in the season and no postseason aspirations, it wouldn't be a shock if Jeffers doesn't return at all this year. If Vázquez is healthy before the end of the season, the Twins may reinstate him from the injured list to allow him to showcase himself for other teams as he enters free agency this winter.
Pereda, who made his MLB debut with the Marlins last season and spent time with the Athletics earlier this year, started Friday's game at catcher and batting ninth in the lineup. He flew out to deep center field in his first plate appearance and drove in the Twins' only run of the game on an RBI double in the fifth inning.
DEBUTÓ PEREDA CON MINESSOTA
— Fanatico Caraquista (@caraquistasfans) September 6, 2025
Doble productor Jhonny Pereda su tercero de la campaña y su cuarta Impulsada de la temporada.
Vídeo: MLB. com pic.twitter.com/ozKXj470xD
The Royals went on to defeat the Twins 2-1, with Pablo López suffering the loss in his first start in over three months after allowing two earned runs on six hits (including a two-run homer from Maikel García) and one walk while collecting four strikeouts in six innings.
The Twins claimed Pereda, 29, off waivers from the Athletics in late July and immediately optioned him to Triple-A St. Paul. Minnesota recalled Pereda on Aug. 8, but he lasted just four days on the roster without seeing any in-game action before being demoted back to Triple-A.
Pereda's stats with the Saints have been outstanding this season. In 20 games with Triple-A St. Paul, Pereda has slashed .294/.448/.500 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 87 plate appearances.
As for Keirsey, the outfielder was a September callup. His recent demotion marked the third time he has been optioned to Triple-A St. Paul this season. Mainly used as a pinch runner and defensive replacement, Keirsey had zero plate appearances in his recent stint with the Twins. Overall, Keirsey has posted -0.8 fWAR and hit .110/.141/.183 for a -16 wRC+ in 85 plate appearances with Minnesota this season.