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For nearly three years, the Twins have defied one of baseball’s most common trends. They have relied on just two catchers, at a time when depth at the position is critical and injuries often force constant roster shuffling. Minnesota built its game plan around a precise 50/50 timeshare between Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vázquez. It was an intentional move from both the front office and the coaching staff, designed to keep both players fresh and healthy across a 162-game season.
That plan is now on hold.
On Friday, the Twins placed Vázquez on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder infection. While the issue is with his non-throwing shoulder, it will still sideline him, ending one of baseball’s rarest streaks.
“Yeah, it is kind of, it is almost hard to believe,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “I bet you are not going to find too many teams that have had that luxury of having guys that are that dependable and durable.”
With Vázquez out, the catching duties will now tilt heavily toward Jeffers. Baldelli confirmed that the 50/50 split will disappear, at least for now.
“[Jeffers] is going to catch more,” Baldelli explained. “More along the lines of two out of three or three out of four games behind the plate … it will be good for RJ to push himself right now a little bit, get out there and catch a whole bunch.”
The shift is an opportunity for Jeffers to step into something he has not had since arriving in the majors: a true full-time role. Last season, he started 81 games at catcher and played behind the plate in 86 games. His 720 1/3 innings catching were a career high, by nearly 50 innings. In 2025, Jeffers has already started 62 games at catcher, so there is a strong possibility that he will surpass his innings squatted and kneeled from last year.
The 27-year-old has been one of Minnesota’s more productive hitters this season (112 OPS+), and his ability to provide pop from behind the plate has made him a lineup fixture. Only two AL catchers (Cal Raleigh and Alejandro Kirk) have a higher OBP, among players with 60 or more games played. Even when he is not catching, Baldelli has kept him in the batting order as the designated hitter 23 times, and he's entered more games as a pinch-hitter or as the result of other shuffling more often than in the past. He's amassed 373 plate appearances already, and could easily surpass his career high of 465, set last season.
Even as the team leans into using their primary catcher more often, though, it's important that they maintain some semblance of depth; no one can succeed trying to catch every day in the majors. While Vázquez is out, the team could get a long look at either of two candidates for a medium-term backup role.
Mickey Gasper
Gasper, 28, was touted as a versatile defender when the Twins acquired him this winter. He has spent time at catcher, first base, and in the outfield throughout his minor league career. Minnesota had been hesitant to use him at catcher before Vázquez’s injury. This season, he has dedicated most of his time to catching and has earned praise from the coaching staff for his preparation and receiving skills. He’s been one of Triple-A’s best hitters over the last two seasons, with a .970 OPS in 2024 and a .915 OPS in 2025. His switch-hitting bat adds an extra wrinkle for Baldelli, who can match him up against both left-handed and right-handed pitchers.
“And I can see us giving some opportunity to Mickey Gasper, who we think has done a good job behind the plate," Baldelli said. "He's worked hard, like he does, really, at every position, but he's dedicated himself to the catching side of things for much of the year this year.”
Jhonny Pereda
Pereda, 29, has built a reputation as a steady presence behind the plate, with strong framing and blocking skills. Fans may be unfamiliar with Pereda because the team claimed him off waivers from the Athletics at the end of July. The Twins are his seventh organization, but he continues to draw respect for his ability to manage a pitching staff. In six games in St. Paul, he went 7-for-21 (.333 BA) with four extra-base hits and four walks. This season at Triple-A, he has posted a 120 wRC+ with 11 extra-base hits in 33 games.
For the Twins, losing Vázquez changes the formula they have carefully managed for three seasons. For Jeffers, it is a chance to show he can be the guy, not just half of a dependable duo. If his bat stays hot, it might make the Twins more comfortable changing their catching formula for 2026. Of course, that assumes that Jeffers (a free agent at the end of next season) won't be traded, first.
Can Jeffers prove that he can be behind the plate on a more regular basis? What stands out about the team’s backup catching options? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
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