Matt Wallner returns to Twins from paternity list

The Twins have reinstated outfielder Matt Wallner from the paternity list, the team announced on Tuesday. Journeyman catcher Jhonny Pereda was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul as a corresponding move.

Minnesota placed Wallner, 27, on the paternity list on Saturday, one day after he homered in the Twins’ 9-4 win against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. Minnesota recalled Carson McCusker, who went 1-for-3 with a single on Saturday, as a corresponding move before sending him back to Triple-A St. Paul when Byron Buxton, who hit a solo home run in the Twins’ 6-2 loss to the New York Yankees on Monday, returned from the injured list.

Wallner is slashing .218/.325/.496 for a 125 wRC+ with 16 home runs in 274 plate appearances with the Twins, who are 6 1/2 games behind the Yankees for the third and final American League Wild Card spot, this season. Minnesota went 1-2 when Wallner was on the paternity list.

Jhonny Pereda didn’t get opportunity to play in recent stint with Twins

Pereda, whom the Twins claimed off waivers from the Athletics on July 22, did not get any in-game action during his short stint on Minnesota’s 26-man roster.

Minnesota recalled Pereda from Triple-A St. Paul on August 8 as a corresponding move to placing Christian Vázquez on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to August 6) with a left shoulder infection. Mickey Gasper will back up Ryan Jeffers at catcher until Vázquez returns or a different catcher gets an opportunity.

Minnesota Twins set to play Game 2 of series against New York Yankees

Game 2 of the Minnesota Twins’ three-game series against the New York Yankees, who defeated the Twins 6-2 in Game 1 of the series on Monday, is scheduled to start at 6:05 p.m. CT on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. Minnesota’s scheduled starting pitcher has yet to be announced, meaning the team will likely go with a bullpen game, and lefty Carlos Rodón is slated to make the start on the mound for New York.