Injured catchers Vázquez, Jeffers to take swings vs. rehabbing lefty

MINNEAPOLIS – Three injured Twins could all take steps forward in their rehabilitation together on Tuesday.

Catchers Christian Vázquez, who is recovering from an infection in his right shoulder, and Ryan Jeffers, who is recovering from a concussion, could take live batting practice on Tuesday afternoon. They would be taking swings against lefty Anthony Misiewicz, who has been sidelined due to a pectoral muscle strain.

Vázquez’s plan is clearer than Jeffers’, in large part simply due to the nature of their respective injuries. Following his work Tuesday, he is expected to travel Wednesday to join Triple-A St. Paul in Memphis. Vázquez would serve as the Saints’ designated hitter on Thursday, then catch at least once over the weekend. The Triple-A season ends Sunday.

Following that work, Vázquez is expected to join the Twins in Texas for the beginning of their season-ending road trip against the Rangers and Phillies. It is not a given that he would be activated right away, but the plan is for him to play before the season ends.

Because Jeffers is recovering from a concussion, his plan is much more day by day. But a club official said he will at least have the option of facing Misiewicz on Tuesday. Jeffers still has some other steps he must clear before being permitted to return to the active roster.

Because Jeffers has been out only for a little more than a week at this point, it would be less of a problem for him to return without a rehab assignment than for Vázquez, who hasn’t played since early August.

Misiewicz has been sidelined since late July. It’s unclear what his next step would be, but it’s very likely he’d need to throw at least once more after the live BP before being activated.