The Minnesota Twins announced Saturday that outfielder Matt Wallner has been placed on the paternity list, temporarily removing him from the lineup as he attends the birth of his child. This move allows Wallner to miss up to three games, following a similar absence recently taken by catcher Ryan Jeffers for the same reason.
Wallner’s Recent Performance Highlights
At 27 years old, Matt Wallner has been performing exceptionally well in recent games. He hit a home run on Friday night during the Twins’ win over the Kansas City Royals. Over the last 11 games, Wallner has recorded 11 hits in 36 at-bats, including five home runs, a triple, and a double, batting .306 during this stretch. For the 2025 season, he is hitting .218 with a career-best 16 home runs and an OPS of .821. Among Twins hitters, only <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/tag/byron-buxton/”>Byron Buxton has better power statistics, excluding Luke Keaschall, who has limited games played. Wallner’s 30 extra-base hits out of 51 total hits underline his growing impact on the team.
Carson McCusker Gets Promoted from Triple-A
To cover Wallner’s absence, the Twins recalled outfielder Carson McCusker from their Triple-A affiliate, the St. Paul Saints. This will mark McCusker’s second time with the Twins this season. During his earlier stint in May, he recorded one hit in six at-bats but also struck out four times. In Triple-A this year, McCusker has compiled a .245 batting average with 19 home runs and an OPS of .799.
Though McCusker started the season extremely strong with an OPS above 1.000, his numbers have dropped sharply over the last two months by 250 points. One notable concern is his strikeout rate, which stands at one third of his plate appearances in St. Paul. Despite these challenges, his return provides another power bat for the Twins while Wallner is unavailable.
Byron Buxton’s Status and Roster Decisions
Interestingly, the Twins have opted to activate Carson McCusker instead of Byron Buxton, who remains on the injured list with left ribcage inflammation. Buxton has been gradually increasing his baseball activities and is expected to return soon, but the team is not rushing his recovery. Meanwhile, the Twins’ outfield depth currently includes Trevor Larnach, Alan Roden, McCusker, and utility players Austin Martin and Kody Clemens, giving the team several options in the field.
Upcoming Game and McCusker’s Role
The Twins are set to host the Royals for the second game of their series at Target Field, starting at 6:10 p.m. CT. With Kansas City’s left-handed pitcher Noah Cameron on the mound, McCusker has a strong chance to make his third Major League start. An updated lineup reveals that McCusker will be hitting sixth in the order and serving as the designated hitter for Saturday’s contest.
#MNTwins v KC, 6:10 CTMartin CFJeffers CKeaschall 2BLewis 3BClemens RFMcCusker DHLee SSGasper 1BRoden LFBailey Ober SPâ Twins Central (@TwinsCentral1) August 9, 2025
Implications for Twins’ Roster and Season Outlook
Matt Wallner’s temporary departure to the paternity list reflects the Twins’ commitment to family support while managing roster needs during his absence. Wallner’s recent surge in production adds to the significance of his brief leave, presenting a moment for McCusker to step up and prove himself on the Major League level. Though McCusker’s recent struggles in Triple-A raise questions, his size and power offer promise as the team navigates injury challenges.
With Byron Buxton’s return not imminent but anticipated, the Twins rely on a mix of emerging players and utility options to maintain competitiveness in the outfield. How McCusker performs over this period could influence future roster decisions as the Twins approach the crucial final stretch of the season.