Twins catchers face a late-season hurdle as Christian Vázquez fights a left-shoulder infection and Ryan Jeffers recovers from a concussion, forcing a temporary platoon with Mickey Gasper and Jhonny Pereda handling the duties. Vázquez is eyeing a rehab stint with the St. Paul Saints, while Jeffers’ return hinges on concussion recovery. Minnesota deploys a six-man rotation down the stretch, with Zebby Matthews set to duel the Yankees as Taj Bradley waits in the wings. Pablo López headlines off-field impact, winning the Clemente Award for notable charitable work.

Vázquez and Jeffers’ health reshapes the Twins’ lineup chemistry and fantasy projections down the final two weeks. Meanwhile López’s leadership and community effort add a steadying presence, and the club’s rehab pipeline—paired with minor-league calls—keeps speculative value alive for late-season adds. The series against New York looms as a proving ground for the refreshed rotation and the depth behind the plate.

Walker Jenkins, 20, is the Twins’ consensus top prospect, racing through the system and already eyeing a 2026 Opening Day roster in Minnesota. His Saints home debut and ongoing AAA stint have shown a blend of power development and plate discipline, even as injury history looms. Jenkins emphasizes staying within himself and treating every at-bat as a step toward a big-league future.

Behind the scenes, the Twins are building a long-term plan around him, including post-season workouts with Ryan Jeffers and a focus on off-season strength and swing adjustments. For fantasy managers, Jenkins represents a high-ceiling, high-variance asset whose ETA could slip or accelerate with health and organizational moves as Minnesota continues its rebuild.

Jeffers’ concussion concerns keep him out as the Twins monitor his status. Pereda was recalled to back up Mickey Gasper, with Keaschall returning to form and adding depth in the infield. Keaschall has hit .320 with an .896 OPS over the past month, signaling a strong comeback from his forearm injury. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. was optioned to make room for Pereda and Pablo López, while Noah Davis was outrighted.

Rosters shifting behind the scenes underscore Twins’ depth at catcher and Keaschall’s continued value as a heat-seeking bat in the middle infield. Fantasy managers should note Pereda’s AAA numbers (.294/.948 OPS) and the improvisational approach Baldelli is taking at the catcher spot while Jeffers heals.

Twins squander a late lead as Detroit walks off in 11 innings at Target Field. Tarik Skubal delivers a sturdy start, but Minnesota strings together a three-run third inning behind a multi-hit barrage from Edouard Julien, Austin Martin, and Byron Buxton. The Twins’ bullpen holds Detroit to a late single and a sac fly until the 11th, when Colt Keith scores the automatic runner on a Gleyber Torres fly ball for the winner. Minnesota’s offensive pulse fades after the third, failing to plate the winning run in the 10th despite Roden advancing via a successful sac bunt and a pair of squeeze attempts by Martin. The Tigers rally on Riley Greene’s two-run homer and a later RBI from Keith, then cap it with a 11th-inning win behind a precise approach and opportunistic baserunning. For fantasy managers, Julien’s lefty success against Skubal stands out, while Detroit’s middle of the order provides a spike scenario in upcoming matchups against right-handed starters.