MILWAUKEE – When Twins newcomer Carson McCusker steps into the batter’s box, Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli doesn’t look at the rookie outfielder. He likes to look at the umpires and the faces of the opponents when they see the 6-foot-8 giant prepare to swing the bat.
Carson McCusker #60 of the Minnesota Twins swings at bat during the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 18, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
“I look forward to putting him out there, watching him hit and also the reaction of the other team when he steps on the field,” Baldelli said prior to Sunday’s game in Milwaukee, after McCusker joined the big league club for the first time. “I always look forward to the umpires and the opposing catchers looking at our dugout, like ‘Look at this guy.’ ”
Originally from Nevada, by way of college baseball at Oklahoma State, McCusker was on a St. Paul Saints road trip in Des Moines when he got word that he was needed in Milwaukee, and he made the five-hour drive to the shore of Lake Michigan.
“It’s been crazy,” said McCusker in the Twins’ clubhouse on Sunday morning. “Drove up here last night, got in pretty late. But pure excitement, and just ready to go.”
In addition to his imposing frame, the nearly 27-year-old is known for his bat. In 137 at-bats for St. Paul this season, he hit .350 with 10 home runs.
“I look forward to getting him out there, watching him go out there and swing the bat. He can obviously impact the baseball in a big way,” Baldelli said. “He has been doing that at AAA all season long for us. And another guy, I mean, we have a number of them on the roster right now, but another guy that’s really earned a tremendous opportunity to come here and do it. And I’m sure he’ll be twitching and sweating and waiting to get his name called and put out there.”
With the Twins recalling infielder Ryan Fitzgerald from the Saints on Friday, and pitcher Zebby Matthews joining the Twins from the Saints on Saturday, McCusker joked that he already feels right at home in the big league clubhouse.
“Just familiar faces and knowing some of the guys,” he said, having gotten to know many of the current Twins in spring training. “And then having some of the guys from the Saints up here as well makes it a lot easier.”
Coulombe headed to IL
Left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe became the Twins’ latest addition to their ever-growing list of unavailable players on Sunday, as he was added to the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 15. Coulombe had made 19 consecutive scoreless appearances for the Twins prior to the injury, which is officially listed as a left forearm extensor strain.
“It’s been something I’ve been kind of just dealing with all year,” he said on Sunday. “When you’re 35, you’re not going to feel good all the time. But it’s just something that’s gotten progressively a little worse. We feel good about, it’s the time to get it right. I feel pretty optimistic it’s going to be a short absence.”
Baldelli said he is not overly concerned about Coulombe, who last pitched when the Twins swept a doubleheader in Baltimore last week.
“Danny hasn’t been available now since the last time he pitched. We’ve been working around him, trying to see if we could give him a little time and get him where he needs to be,” said the manager. “He has shown good improvement, but he’s not ready to pitch quite yet. So he’s going to need a little bit more. I’m not going to put a timeline on it. I’m not going to say it’s the minimum, but I’m optimistic that it won’t be too long.”
Celebrating a decade for Correa
Although he was unavailable to play due to a concussion, there were balloons in his locker and hugs from teammates as Carlos Correa’s 10 years in the majors was celebrated by the team on Sunday. The 30-year-old infielder made his major league debut with the Houston Astros in 2015 and was named American League rookie of the year that season. He has been with the Twins since 2022.
“It’s something every player takes an immense amount of pride in. It’s a very special day in a major-league clubhouse,” Baldelli said of Correa’s milestone. “We’ve had a few guys over the last couple of years. You can go years and years and not have one guy get to 10 years, sometimes even get close to 10 years while they’re on your team. It’s something that elicits emotion, gets guys fired up and it’s one of those few times where a guy gets to be the center of attention not for just hitting a big homer or saving the game. But it’s a lifetime achievement you get to celebrate with your teammates, and that’s a special thing. It’ll be great. Regardless of being active or not, this goes beyond any of that.”
This season Correa has batted .236 with two home runs in 148 at-bats.
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