Kepler (knee/hip) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.
Kepler was expected to be shut down for the remainder of the regular season, and Friday's move not only confirms that but also rules him out for the entirety of the playoffs -- should the Twins come back from three games back and claim a wild-card spot. Kepler was placed on the injured list Sept. 5 due to left knee tendinitis and received a cortisone injection for hip soreness Sept. 17. He should be healthy once spring training rolls around.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Likely out through regular season
Rotowire
Manager Rocco Baldelli said Tuesday that Kepler (knee/hip) isn't expected to return from the injured list before the end of the regular season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
The 31-year-old landed on the shelf in early September due to knee tendinitis, and he received a cortisone injection for hip soreness last week. The Twins are currently one game back of the final American League wild-card spot, and it's possible Kepler could return at some point during the playoffs should they punch their ticket and go on an October run.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Taking live batting practice
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) will take live batting practice Monday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
He will then go through a full workout with the Twins on Tuesday before being evaluated for a potential return from the 10-day injured list. Kepler has been shelved since early September with left knee tendinitis but should return this week if he checks out well.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Closing in on rehab stint
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) received a cortisone injection for hip soreness Monday but is still expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul this weekend, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
The 31-year-old landed on the shelf due to knee tendinitis in early September but appears to be fully recovered from that injury. It's unclear how or when exactly the hip soreness surfaced for Kepler, but he should still have a chance to return from the injured list for the final homestand of the season next week.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Goes on IL with knee tendinitis
Rotowire
The Twins placed Kepler on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left patellar tendinitis, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Kepler had missed four straight games and started just three of the last 11 contests because of the nagging knee issue. The Twins have finally opted to put him on the IL, bringing up DaShawn Keirsey as a replacement. Most of the playing time in right field while Kepler is sidelined should go to Matt Wallner.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Out again Thursday
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Tampa Bay.
This will be the fourth straight absence for Kepler, who has been in and out of the lineup lately with lingering left knee soreness. Matt Wallner will cover right field for the Twins on Thursday.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Not in Wednesday's lineup
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Tampa Bay.
Kepler hasn't played since Sunday due to left knee soreness, although he might not have started Wednesday anyway, with the Rays slated to use lefty Tyler Alexander in bulk relief. Matt Wallner will occupy right field for the Twins.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Held out again Tuesday
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's game in Tampa Bay.
Kepler was a late scratch ahead of Monday's 5-4 win due to left knee soreness and will also begin the second game of the series on the bench. He probably would have been out of the lineup even if he were 100 percent, with the Rays starting southpaw Jeffrey Springs. Michael Helman will start in right field for the Twins on Tuesday in what will be his major-league debut.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Late scratch from lineup
Rotowire
Kepler was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Rays due to left knee soreness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
It's the same injury which caused Kepler to miss some time last week, and the fact that the Twins are playing on artificial turf at Tropicana Field could have been a factor in the decision. Consider Kepler day-to-day for now. Carlos Santana entered the lineup in Kepler's place, with Matt Wallner shifting to right field.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Returns as fielder
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) appeared in Friday's win over Toronto as a defensive replacement in right field but did not have a plate appearance.
Kepler wasn't in the lineup due to a sore knee but was able to come off the bench in the ninth inning. He's been held out of the starting nine in three of the last four games including Friday, but it looks like he could return to the lineup Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Getting knee evaluated
Rotowire
Kepler is not in Friday's lineup against Toronto due to knee soreness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Kepler has been held out for Minnesota's last two games and three of the last four due to the knee issue. Manager Rocco Baldelli said Friday that the Twins will work out Kepler and see if the 31-year-old can return to action during the weekend series against the Blue Jays. Since the All-Star break, Kepler has slashed .263/.306/.377 with 12 runs scored, five doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI across 121 plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: On bench against RHP
Rotowire
Kepler is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Toronto.
Despite right-hander Kevin Gausman taking the mound for the Blue Jays on Friday, the lefty-hitting Kepler is absent from the starting nine. Trevor Larnach, Austin Martin and Matt Wallner fill the outfield from left to right.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Not in lineup Wednesday
Rotowire
Kepler is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus Atlanta.
Kepler returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing two games with left knee soreness, but he'll be back on the bench Wednesday with Atlanta sending lefty Chris Sale to the hill. Matt Wallner will start in right field for the Twins.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Returns to Minnesota lineup
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) will start in right field and bat sixth in Tuesday's game versus Atlanta.
Kepler missed the previous two contests with some soreness in his left knee, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in this one. The 31-year-old Kepler enters play Tuesday in a 4-for-30 drought at the dish.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Not in lineup Monday
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta.
Kepler was a late scratch from the lineup ahead of Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Cardinals with a sore left knee and will miss out on a second straight start. Given that Atlanta is sending a tough lefty in Max Fried to the hill for the series opener, the lefty-hitting Kepler might have been excluded from the lineup even if he wasn't bothered by the knee.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Battling knee issue
Rotowire
Kepler was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals due to left knee soreness, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
It's unclear when exactly Kepler suffered the injury, as he started the previous two games and went 1-for-8 with an RBI and a strikeout. The veteran outfielder should be considered day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener versus Atlanta.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Late scratch Sunday
Rotowire
Kepler was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals for unspecified reasons.
The 31-year-old was penciled in to start in right field but was pulled from the lineup shortly before first pitch. Kepler is presumably dealing with an injury, though the Twins have yet to make an official announcement. Manuel Margot will replace him in the starting nine and man left field, pushing Matt Wallner to right.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Sitting amid slump
Rotowire
Kepler is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The slumping Kepler will hit the bench Wednesday after he went 3-for-22 at the dish while starting in each of the Twins' last six games. Matt Wallner will replace Kepler in right field.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Idle against southpaw
Rotowire
Kepler is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.
The lefty-hitting Kepler will check out of the lineup for the series finale while the Royals send southpaw Cole Ragans to the hill. Kepler had started in right field in each of Minnesota's last 10 contests, going 12-for-39 (.308 average) with a home run and four RBI.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Max Kepler: Not in Friday's lineup
Rotowire
Kepler (head) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.
Kepler exited Wednesday's contest due to a head injury after he was hit in the helmet on an attempted throw to second base, and he'll be out of the starting nine for at least one game. Matt Wallner will receive a start in right field against Chicago right-hander Davis Martin on Friday.
