KANSAS CITY -- The Twins placed Ryan Jeffers on the 7-day concussion injured list on Sunday, three days after he was struck in the face mask by two foul tips.
Jeffers had not played since suffering the injury and is not currently participating in any baseball activity. There had been hope that he could avoid the injured list, and his symptoms did improve somewhat since the initial incident, but they did not dissipate enough for him to be cleared to play.
“His symptoms [on Thursday] were basically like fogginess, just kind of out of it,” said head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta. “Felt difficulty processing and just struggling to be his normal self. The first day we got to Kansas City, those symptoms remained. Then the next day, he did look better yesterday, like he presented better when he came in, and just talking. But then as the day went along, those symptoms never went away. They were still there and present.”
The IL placement was one of a series of moves Minnesota made on Sunday prior to the finale against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Right-handed pitcher Pierson Ohl and outfielder Carson McCusker were recalled from Triple-A St. Paul and right-hander Brooks Kriske was designated for assignment. Ohl had been optioned on Aug. 27, but because he was replacing an injured player on the roster, he was permitted to be called up sooner than the standard 15-day requirement.
Ohl, who had pitched in long relief and also made three starts in previous stints with the Twins, will be used more as a conventional reliever now. Minnesota had a need in its bullpen after Joe Ryan pitched only two innings on Saturday. Ryan has been dealing with a flu-like illness that clearly affected him and also contributed to the quick hook.
Catcher Jhonny Pereda had been recalled from Triple-A on Friday while the club waited for clarity on Jeffers’ situation. Pereda and Mickey Gasper will share time behind the plate while Jeffers is out. Outfielder Dashawn Keirsey was optioned to make room for Pereda, and Keirsey stayed with the club with the idea he could be reinstated if Jeffers was placed on the IL. But because the Twins recalled Ohl to take Jeffers’ spot, they could not also bring back Keirsey in less than the usual required time for an optioned player.
Vázquez progressing
The Twins’ other veteran catcher, Christian Vázquez, is making progress from a left shoulder infection he suffered last month. Vázquez, who had been rehabbing at home in Florida, returned to Minnesota to begin workouts over the weekend. He hopes to play again this season.