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Minnesota Twins Catcher Exits With Injury
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- Minnesota Twins Catcher Exits With Injury
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The injured list has become a rite of passage for the Minnesota Twins lineup of late. Both Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews landed there among the starting rotation. Royce Lewis joined them not long after. Hopefully Ryan Jeffers doesn't need the same accommodations, but it's raining and pouring.
Rocco Baldelli's team has been in something of a freefall since their 13-game winning streak . Another loss on Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds sends the team to a 36-36 record.
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If they don't get healthier, and can't compete for nine innings at a time, things are only going to get worse.
Ryan Jeffers leaves for MN Twins
Ryan Jeffers was behind the dish for Rocco Baldelli on Tuesday night . He took a foul tip that appeared to get him in the hand or arm. It generated notable pain, but he stayed in the contest for the Minnesota Twins. Not long after he dropped a third strike that would allow two more runs and force starter David Festa from the game.
Ryan Jeffers exited with a right hand contusion. X-ray was negative. #MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) June 18, 2025
It's certainly commendable to stay in a game after dealing with a level of pain. For Jeffers to remain in and then immediately fail to field his position is frustrating. He left the game during the next half-inning, and clearly the impact of the foul ball was bothering him.
The play that changed the game for the Twins… pic.twitter.com/zvjLGXWU4l
— Ted (@tlschwerz) June 18, 2025
There is no excuse for Jeffers to not have caught the ball that Festa struck out former Minnesota Twins prospect Spencer Steer on. It resulted in two more runs, and four being scored after two outs in the 4th inning. All six of the Cincinnati Reds runs scored on Tuesday night came after Minnesota pitchers had generated two outs.
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Beyond just staying in and making the mistake, Jeffers' exit exposed the Twins lineup further. Christian Vazquez was inserted as the backup catcher and he has been truly terrible offensively through his time with Minnesota.
Related: Royce Lewis Return Timeline Coming into Focus
The 11-year big league veteran has zero offensive value. Vazquez has slashed .218/.265/.319 with Minnesota, and took over to go 0-for-3 with a game-ending strikeout Tuesday against the Reds.
It's a positive that x-rays determined no fracture for Jeffers. It's possible he remains out of the lineup on Wednesday as the injury may need some time to heal. There's no denying that Baldelli's Minnesota Twins team is worse off the longer Christian Vazquez gets expanded run for it.
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