Ryan Jeffers Getting Close to MN Twins Return
Before he suffered a broken hamate bone, Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers was making a case for the first All-Star appearance of his career, batting .295 with a .949 OPS in 37 games, belting 7 home runs while walking (26) just as often as he struck out (26).
Since Jeffers hit the injured list on May 19, Victor Caratini and Alex Jackson have filled in admirably in his place but neither has produced anywhere near the level he was early this season.
Ryan Jeffers takes another step toward closer to MN Twins return
Thankfully, 1.5 month later, we are closing in on Jeffers’ returns to action. Wednesday night, Dan Hayes (The Athletic) reported that the 29-year-old catcher has been taking swings pregame in St. Paul with the Saints all week.
Ryan Jeffers is hitting with the St. Paul Saints tonight, his third straight day of hitting. How his hamate bone responds to the vibration of the bat is the biggest thing he and #MNTwins are looking for right now.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 1, 2026
The hamate bone is a wedge-shaped bone near the pinky. Even after it’s healed, hamate bone injuries are oftentimes followed by a drop in power at the plate. Jeffers wants to make sure he’s in a good place before rejoining the Twins lineup.
With the trade deadline now only a month away, Jeffers — who’s in his final year of team control — can’t afford to come off his injury in a slump. And neither can the Twins, who sit at 42-46, just outside the AL Wild Card race.
MN Twins get Mick Abel through surgery
While Minnesota got good news on Jeffers and prospect Kaelen Culpepper Wednesday, the same can’t be said for young starter Mick Abel, who recently suffered a setback during his rehab assignment that required arthroscopic surgery, which was completed yesterday, as well. His timeline for recovery remains an unknown.
Mick Abel had successful arthroscopic surgery today. Timeline hasn't been established for his return yet. More on this as it develops. #MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 1, 2026
Related: Byron Buxton Hurt Too; It’s His Hip Again
We’ll have to wait until we get more information, but it’s still very plausible we see Abel again, before the 2026 season is over. Tarik Skubal, for example. recently underwent arthroscopic surgery using the new NanoNeedle technology. He has already returned to the mound.
Losing Abel was only the latest in a number of substantial blows to the Minnesota Twins rotation this season. His 3.98 ERA (2.76 FIP) across 20 1/3 innings have the organization thinking big on Abel’s future.
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