Carson

McCusker

McCusker is going to play in Asia next year, according to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes. The 27-year-old made his major league debut last season, going 5-for-30 with no extra-base hits and a 16/1 K/BB. He hit .246/.316/.479 with a 34% strikeout rate in Triple-A. The timing of the move allows the Twins to make a pick in the Rule 5 draft, as they now have an open spot on the 40-man.

The 28-year-old slugger will get a breather with left-hander Ranger Suarez toeing the slab for the Phillies on Saturday night. Carson McCusker will start in his place in right field and will bat seventh for the Twins on Saturday evening in Philadelphia.

It’s just a standard day off for Jeffers with a day game after a night game. Christian Vazquez will catch and bat ninth, while Trevor Larnach will be moved to designated hitter so that Carson McCusker can get a start in right field and bat seventh.

McCusker has gone 2-for-9 with five strikeouts over six games at the big-league level this season. He’ll presumably occupy a spot on Minnesota’s bench for the final three weeks.

McCusker went 1-for-3 as a DH in his only appearance during his two days with the Twins.

Larnach remains on the bench for the third consecutive contest since being scratched from Wednesday’s lineup with left side soreness. It’ll be rookie Alan Roden and Carson McCusker filling in at left field and DH, respectively, on Saturday night in his place.

McCusker joins Minnesota’s outfield mix prior to Saturday’s game against the Royals with slugger Matt Wallner heading out on paternity leave. The 27-year-old rookie went 1-for-6 in five games with the Twins earlier this season.

McCusker’s departure seemingly paves the way for either Matt Wallner (hamstring) or Byron Buxton (concussion) to be activated from the injured list for Friday’s series opener against the Mariners. The 27-year-old rookie went 1-for-6 in five games with the Twins, collecting his first major-league hit during Wednesday’s shutout loss to the Rays.

Bobby Nightengale of the Star Tribune reports that Buxton could return for this weekend’s series in Seattle if he continues to respond well to his increased baseball activity. With Matt Wallner (hamstring) also potentially being activated for the weekend series, that could mean that rookies DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and Carson McCusker head back to the minor leagues, with Willi Castro and Kody Clemens moving into super-utility roles.

McCusker draws his second start in six games since being called up last weekend from Triple-A St. Paul. The massive 27-year-old slugging prospect has gone 0-for-2 at the dish so far. He’ll get a chance to face Royals lefty Kris Bubic, who has legitimately been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, during Sunday afternoon’s series finale.