Ryan

Jeffers

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand says it’s a $14 million deal. It’s not surprising that Caratini is quickly following J.T. Realmuto off the board, but this is an unexpected fit, given the Twins’ budget issues and their already having a starting catcher in Ryan Jeffers. Caratini deserves to be a starter, but he could help just about anyone starting 70 games behind the plate and another 20 or 30 at DH and first base. That’s probably what he’ll do in Minnesota, unless the team now pivots to trading Jeffers. The Astros had interest in bringing Caratini back, and it was also thought that the Red Sox might jump in, given that they had interest in Realmuto.

Jeffers, 28, went from 21 homers in 2024 to nine last season, but it kind of seems like a fluke; his exit velocity numbers were mostly better in 2025. It’s his walk year, so he could be a trade candidate in July if the Twins aren’t contending.

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.

Jeffers plated Byron Buxton with an RBI single off of Patrick Corbin in the third inning that put the Twins on top to stay. He has had a underwhelming season at the plate in 2025, slashing .262/.353/.392 with just nine homers and 45 RBI in 447 plate appearances.

Jeffers returns for Tuesday’s series opener against the Rangers following a two-weeks absence after suffering a concussion when he took a foul ball to the catcher’s mask back in early September.

Jeffers heads to the injured list following a two-game absence after taking a foul ball to the catcher’s mask during Thursday’s game. There is no timetable for his return at the moment. Jhonny Pereda and Mickey Gasper will handle the catching duties for Minnesota for the foreseeable future.

With Ryan Jeffers dealing with a head injury (though not yet placed on the injured list), Pereda will join the team and add depth behind the plate. He’ll start behind the dish and catch for Pablo Lopez on Friday evening against the Royals.

The 28-year-old backstop had taken a foul ball off of his mask earlier in the ballgame. Jeffers then had an awkward swing as he struck out in the third inning then returned to catch in the top half of the fourth. He was then pinch-hit for by Mickey Gasper in the home half of the fourth inning. Expect Twins’ skipper Rocco Baldelli to provide an update in his postgame comments.

Jeffers rejoins Minnesota’s catching mix ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Red Sox after being away from the club for the previous three games on paternity leave.

Jeffers will be away from the club for the next couple days on paternity leave. It’ll be Christian Vázquez taking over the catching duties in his absence.