Minnesota Twins Veteran Nearing Return After Scary Surgery

The Minnesota Twins are playing meaningless baseball when it comes to the standings. They are going to lose 90 games for the first time since 2016 and there’s a possibility for changes this offseason.

While the coaching staff is making due with what the front office has provided them, no position has been a bigger black hole then catcher. After Ryan Jeffers hit the concussion list, Rocco Baldelli has been forced to work with Mickey Gasper and Jhonny Pereda.

That may not be the case much longer if Christian Vazquez can get back up to speed.

Christian Vazquez nearing return for MN Twins

It has been over a month since Christian Vazquez played in a game for the Minnesota Twins. The veteran backstop needed emergency surgery for a cut that got infected, and he has been out since. The majority of that time was spent at his home in Florida, but he is now back with the team.

Christian Vázquez taking batting practice today. He had a PICC line in his arm for four weeks after an infection in his left shoulder.

He hopes to begin a rehab assignment next week. pic.twitter.com/snEJDp3hoZ

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) September 12, 2025

Batting practice is a pretty minor first step, but it’s one in the right direction. Vazquez probably needs to get his feet back under him, and the Twins don’t really have a need for him to return as a designated hitter.

If he’s going to go on a rehab assignment, time is running out on that as well. Triple-A. St. Paul has just six games remaining, and they are in Memphis next week. If Vazquez were to be with the Saints for the week, he’d have just six games of runway (a road trip against Texas and Philadelphia) to end the year.

In 61 games this year, Vazquez has batted .174/.251/.247 with nine extra-base hits (two home runs) and 13 RBI. That 39 OPS+ is ugly, but still clears Gasper’s 32 OPS+ and actually brings defensive value with it.

As a whole the Twins will look back on the three-year, $30 million contract they handed to Vazquez as a mistake. He was an asset behind the plate, but his 57 OPS+ in 256 games for Minnesota was a net-negative.

Related: Expect Less Payroll for Crumbling MN Twins in 2026

The veteran backstop is hoping to get in a couple of games prior to the end of the season to prove his health for interested suitors this offseason. Even with his lackluster performance, the defensive ability and clubhouse presence will certainly earn him a job somewhere.