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Ryan Jeffers Receives Qualifying Offer From Twins
Catcher Ryan Jeffers received a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer from the Minnesota Twins, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Jeffers has until Nov. 17 to accept it or decline it. Jeffers, who is about to enter his age-30 campaign, has been one of the more productive catchers in baseball in the last few seasons. The former second-rounder in 2018 from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington played in only 92 games due to injuries in the first half of the year in his seventh season with the Twins in 2026, but he was still very productive, slashing .256/.353/.461 with an .814 OPS, 14 home runs, 56 RBI, 49 runs scored, and a stolen base in 369 plate appearances. Most players who are extended a qualifying offer end up rejecting it to seek more riches on the open market, but it could be hard for Jeffers to turn this one-year deal down. If Jeffers turns the offer down and goes to the open market, he will be one of the most sought-after offensive-minded catchers of the offseason. Jeffers had a career-high 21 home runs and 64 RBI a couple of seasons ago in 2024, but he also hit just .226 that year with a .300 on-base percentage.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Mitch Garver Hangs Up his Cleats
After 10 seasons in the major leagues, veteran catcher Mitch Garver has decided to call it a career and retire, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Garver has hinted at interest in both coaching and media opportunities once his playing days were over. The 35-year-old was originally drafted in the ninth round by the Minnesota Twins in 2013 out of the University of New Mexico. He spent the first five years of his MLB career with the Twins before joining the Texas Rangers in 2022 and 2023. Garver spent the last three seasons of his career playing for the Seattle Mariners. In 701 total games played during the regular season, Garver hit .229/.325/.432 with a .756 OPS, 110 home runs, 324 RBI, 301 runs scored, and six stolen bases. Garver played in only 50 games this past season with the M's and hit just .175 (22-for-126) with four homers, 15 RBI, 22 walks, and 49 strikeouts in 149 plate appearances. His best season came in his third year in the league with Minnesota in 2019, when he hit a career-high 31 home runs while batting .273/.365/.630 in 93 games played.
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Ryan Jeffers is Picking up Steam
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers is one of the most talked-about players at his position heading into the trade deadline. Jeffers is on a one-year deal and is expected to be moved at the upcoming trade deadline. This season, Jeffers is slashing .294/.397/.531 with nine home runs and 35 RBI across 47 games. He has been crushing left-handed pitching and could be a real game-changer for a contending team down the stretch of the season. The assumption is that a trade would likely only increase his fantasy value. In theory, Jeffers would land in a better lineup and get more opportunities to play. Fantasy managers who are seeking help at the catching position should consider snagging Jeffers ahead of the deadline.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Eduardo Tait Extends Power Surge on Thursday Evening
Minnesota Twins catching prospect Eduardo Tait extended his power barrage on Thursday evening. Facing Dayton, the No. 39-ranked prospect in the sport (per MLB.com), went 1-for-3 with a long ball. This marked Tait's third home run over his last five games with High-A Cedar Rapids. Tait has spent the 2026 campaign with High-A and has endured some groin pains. On the season, he has held a .221 AVG but has shown high power upside, launching 18 long balls with a .727 OPS. During the 2025 campaign, the young backstop spent most of his time with Low-A before earning a short taste of High-A ball later in the second half. If Tait can extend this power surge into August, the young catcher could receive a short look at Double-A late in the season.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Victor Caratini Exits Early With Knee Contusion
Minnesota Twins catcher Victor Caratini (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Wednesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. Caratini was forced to exit during his at-bat in the fifth inning after fouling a ball off his knee. The X-rays came back negative, so fantasy managers should consider Caratini as day-to-day with a knee contusion. He finished this game 0-for-2 at the plate, and fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if he gets a day or two off. The switch-hitting catcher is only worth rostering in deep leagues at the moment.
Source: Dan Hayes
Source: Dan Hayes
Ryan Jeffers Is the Catcher Upgrade to Make After Returning Healthy
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers has wasted little time making himself useful again after returning from a fractured left hamate bone. He is 4-for-17 with two doubles, one home run, five RBI, and three walks in five games since his July 10 activation. The homer was a three-run shot against the Cubs on Friday. Jeffers is batting .288 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, 27 runs, and a .941 OPS across 139 at-bats this season. Minnesota has started Jeffers in five of its six games since his return, including one at designated hitter. The playing time is not being eased back. Yahoo's 34% rostered mark still leaves him available in nearly two-thirds of leagues, while RotoBaller ranks him fourth among its current waiver-wire catchers and recommends him in 12-team formats. Managers still cycling through the position should make the change.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Twins Select Top Catching Prospect Vahn Lackey With Third Overall Pick
The Minnesota Twins are selecting catcher Vahn Lackey out of Georgia Tech with the third overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Lackey is not only considered the top catching prospect in this year's class but also one of the top all-around hitters. Lackey made his college debut at Georgia Tech in 2024, posting a modest .711 OPS over his first 36 games. However, over the past two seasons, Lackey has been one of the most dominant backstops in college baseball. During the 2025 campaign, Lackey posted a career-high .397/.519/.772 line with 16 doubles, 20 home runs and 15 stolen bases. According to MLB.com, Lackey has the raw profile to hit nearly 30 home runs once he reaches the big leagues. Additionally, his 50-grade speed should also provide him with added fantasy value as he swiped at least 15 bags in each of the last two seasons. Dynasty managers needing assistance behind the dish should feel confident taking the 21-year-old with a high first-year draft pick.
Source: Minnesota Twins
Source: Minnesota Twins
Ryan Jeffers Coming Off the Injured List on Friday
The Minnesota Twins are activating catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand) from the injured list on Friday and are sending outfielder Kyler Fedko back to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The Twins haven't announced their starting lineup for Friday's series opener at Target Field against the Los Angeles Angels, but Jeffers should be back behind the plate to face right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, who is also making his return from the IL. Jeffers is returning to the Twins after missing 46 games due to a fractured hamate bone in his left hand on May 18. Before his injury, the 29-year-old former second-rounder in 2018 out of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington was hitting a strong .295/.408/.541 with a .949 OPS, seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 122 at-bats. Jeffers will be Minnesota's starting backstop and deserves consideration in fantasy baseball leagues off the waiver wire now that he's back. He's rostered in only 30% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Ryan Jeffers Continuing his Rehab Assignment
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (wrist) will continue his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on the Saints' road trip to Triple-A Iowa, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Manager Derek Shelton said that Jeffers is likely "going to be with them for at least the next three or four days" as he ramps up his catching workload. The Twins most likely want to see Jeffers catch in back-to-back games before reinstating him from the 10-day injured list. At this point, with the All-Star break coming on July 13-16, it seems unlikely that Jeffers will rejoin the Twins before the end of the first half of the season this Sunday. He's gone 6-for-13 with two home runs in his four rehab games, so he's already looking good with the bat. Jeffers is recovering from surgery in late May to repair a broken hamate bone in his left hand, but this is a reminder to check whether he's available on your waiver wire if you need catching help. He was hitting .295 (36-for-122) with seven homers, 26 RBI, and 26 runs before his injury as the Twins' starting catcher. Jeffers is rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Ryan Jeffers a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Ahead of Impending Injury Return
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand) has been on the 10-day injured list since mid-May due to a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. However, Jeffers began a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday and could be on the verge of a return to the big leagues. The 29-year-old got off to a strong start to the 2026 season before the injury, hitting .295/.408/.541 with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, and one stolen base across 147 plate appearances. Albeit in a small sample size, Jeffers had posted the lowest strikeout rate (15.6%) of his career while also posting his highest barrel rate (16.0%). If Jeffers picks up where he left off upon his return to the Twins, he profiles as a top-12 caliber catcher for fantasy managers with significant power upside. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Jeffers should be a priority waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Jeffers Starting a Rehab Assignment on Friday
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand) is starting a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Jeffers will serve as the Saints' designated hitter on Friday, roughly six weeks after having surgery for a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. It's unclear how long Jeffers will be on his rehab assignment, but barring a setback, he should have a shot to rejoin the Twins as their primary catcher before the All-Star break from July 13-16. Fantasy managers seeking an upgrade at catcher will want to consider stashing Jeffers now, too, after he was slashing .295/.408/.541 with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored and a stolen base in 148 plate appearances across 37 games before fracturing his hand. Veteran Victor Caratini has been seeing most of the starts behind the dish for the Twins with Jeffers out, with Alex Jackson serving as the No. 2. Jeffers is currently rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Ryan Jeffers Taking Swings, Making Progress
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand) is making progress and is taking swings in the batting cage as well as catching bullpen sessions, according to Theodore Tollefson. Jeffers has been sidelined on the 10-day injured list since May 19 with a hand injury that required surgery. The 29-year-old right-handed-hitting backstop still has some boxes to check, most notably facing live pitching, before he returns, and he could need a short minor-league rehab assignment as well. It remains to be seen if Jeffers will return from the IL before the All-Star break in mid-July. In the meantime, veteran Victor Caratini has swung the bat well for the Twins as their primary catcher with Jeffers out. Before injuring his hand, Jeffers was swinging the bat well, slashing .295/.408/.541 with a .949 OPS, seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 122 at-bats. Fantasy managers looking for an upgrade at the catcher position might want to stash Jeffers now. He's currently rostered in 29% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Theodore Tollefson
Source: Theodore Tollefson
Ryan Jeffers Doing All Baseball Activities
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand) has been running, throwing, lifting weights, doing catching drills, and, as of June 10, taking dry swings, according to MLB.com. Jeffers landed on the 10-day injured list on May 19 with a left-hamate bone fracture in his hand and had surgery on May 20. His next steps will be determined by how he handles his current workload. The next step for the left-handed-hitting backstop will be to gain clearance to face live pitching. After that, he'll likely require a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the major-league roster. At this time, it's unclear if Jeffers will have enough time to make it back before the All-Star break in mid-July. Before fracturing his hand, the 29-year-old former second-rounder in 2018 out of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington was hitting a strong .295 (36-for-122) with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, and a stolen base as the Twins' primary catcher. At the moment, he's only rostered in 30% of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs. With Jeffers out, Victor Caratini and Alex Jackson have been sharing time behind the plate in Minnesota.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Jeffers Resumes Throwing After Hand Surgery
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand), who is on the 10-day injured list after having surgery to fix a broken hamate bone in his left hand, is more than a week from surgery and is pleased with his progress, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com. Jeffers had his stitches removed on Saturday and has been throwing regularly, although he has yet to resume swinging a bat. "The good thing is I've been able to keep my arm [going] this whole time," Jeffers said. "I haven't stopped throwing, so that's kind of the normal routine there. But I'm really just trying to get back to strengthening the wrist, doing grip stuff. Just to get ready for when it is time to start swinging a little bit, I'll be ready for that." The Twins estimated initially that it would take Jeffers six to eight weeks to return to the big-league roster, so he still has a way to go. The 29-year-old backstop was hitting really well in 122 at-bats before his injury, batting .295 with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs, and a stolen base across 37 games played in his seventh year in the league. Jeffers is currently rostered in just over 30% of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs.
Source: MLB.com - Matthew Leach
Source: MLB.com - Matthew Leach
Ryan Jeffers to Have Hand Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand) will have surgery to fix a broken hamate bone in his left hand and is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, general manager Jeremy Zoll told The Athletic's Aaron Gleeman. The Twins placed Jeffers on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday after he injured his hand in an at-bat late in Monday night's win over the visiting Houston Astros. It's a really tough break for Jeffers and the Twins, as he was hitting .295 (36-for-122) this year with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, a stolen base, a .408 on-base percentage, a .541 slugging percentage, and a .949 OPS in 37 games across 148 plate appearances. In a best-case scenario, Jeffers might be able to return to the big-league roster in early July. In the meantime, veteran Victor Caratini should do most of the catching for the Twins, with Alex Jackson backing him up. Fantasy managers should be looking to avoid the catching situation in Minnesota with Jeffers out for an extended period of time.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
