The Twins reinstated Kepler (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Monday.
Though Kepler landed on the IL on May 13 with the left hamstring strain, he was deemed ready to rejoin the big club without requiring a rehab assignment after he made steady progress in his running program over the past several days. He should immediately settle into a near-everyday role in right field, with his return likely to result in utility man Willi Castro losing out on some playing time. Prior to landing on the IL, Kepler was hitting .212 with six home runs, 17 runs and 14 RBI over 114 plate appearances on the season.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Set to return Monday
Rotowire
Kepler (hamstring) will be reinstated from the 10-day injured list Monday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Kepler has been on the IL since May 13 due to a strained left hamstring, and he'll be able to rejoin the Twins without a rehab assignment. Prior to his absence, he hit .212 with six homers, 17 runs and 14 RBI over 28 games. Kyle Garlick and Matt Wallner will be sent down to make room for Kepler and Royce Lewis (knee).
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Twins' Max Kepler: Takes batting practice
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Kepler (hamstring) hit on the field before Friday's game, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Kepler had been running at about 70 percent as of May 20, but Friday's report doesn't suggest he's taken a significant step forward since. It's not clear when he might return, and he may need a short rehab assignment since he's been out since May 11.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Runs at 70 percent
Rotowire
Kepler (hamstring) ran at 70 percent before Friday's game against the Angels, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Kepler has been on the injured list since last Saturday after suffering a left hamstring strain. The outfielder doesn't have a clear timeline, but the fact he's already running is a positive development in his chance to return relatively soon. The question will be whether Kepler will need a rehab assignment before he's able to patrol the outfield for the Twins. Either way, it sounds like he has a chance to help the team before June.
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Twins' Max Kepler: To IL with hamstring strain
Rotowire
Kepler was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left hamstring strain, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
He was removed from Thursday's game with what was labeled a leg cramp, and he appeared as a pinch hitter Friday, but the team will give Kepler time to let the injury fully heal. Trevor Larnach was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Not in lineup Friday
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Kepler (leg) is not in the lineup Friday against the Cubs, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Kepler made an early exit from Thursday's series finale versus the Padres due to a leg cramp, though he might have been sitting Friday either way with left-hander Drew Smyly on the bump for Chicago. Minnesota will go righty-heavy in the opening game of a three-game weekend set. Kepler could be available off the bench.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Removed due to leg cramp
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Kepler was removed from Thursday's win over the Padres due to a leg cramp, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Kepler looked a bit uncomfortable while running down the first base line in the bottom of the seventh inning, just after tying the game with an RBI fielder's choice. It doesn't sound like anything too serious. Consider him day-to-day heading into the Twins' three-game weekend series against the Cubs.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Exits with apparent leg injury
Rotowire
Kepler left Thursday's game in the 7th inning after appearing to hurt his leg after running to first base, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. Michael Taylor replaced him as a pinch runner.
It's not clear what injury Kepler may have suffered, but he was quick to ask for a pinch runner. The 30-year-old spent time on the injured list in April due to a patellar tendinitis in his right knee, though it's unclear if he aggravated that injury or is dealing with a new issue.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Scores three runs in win
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Kepler went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, a double and three total runs scored in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings win over the Padres.
Kepler made an early impact with a solo shot in the first inning. He also doubled and scored on a Carlos Correa double in the third. In the 11th, Kepler was the initial runner and scored the winning run on an Alex Kirilloff single. After going 0-for-8 over his last two games, this was a strong bounce-back for Kepler, who has swatted three of his six homers this year over his last five contests. He's slashing .223/.312/.468 with 13 RBI, 17 runs scored and no stolen bases through 109 plate appearances.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Homers amid hot streak
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Kepler went 1-for-2 with a homer, a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 8-6 victory over the Royals.
Kepler has started to heat up since returning from the injured list in mid-April for a sore knee. He's hitting .305 (11-for-36) with two home runs over his last 10 games.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Batting leadoff Friday
Rotowire
Kepler is starting in right field and batting leadoff for the Twins in Friday's game versus the Royals, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Kepler is sporting just a .276 on-base percentage on the season but is making his team-leading 10th start in the leadoff spot. He and the Twins will be squaring off against right-hander Jordan Lyles.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Sits versus lefty
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Kepler is not in the Twins' lineup Tuesday against the Yankees, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
Nestor Cortes is very tough on left-handed batters, so it makes sense to give Kepler a night off. Trevor Larnach will slide over to right field and Willi Castro will play left.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Out of lineup Sunday
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Kepler is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's tilt against the Nationals.
Kepler will take a seat for Sunday's finale with left-hander Patrick Corbin on the bump for the Nationals. Joey Gallo gets the start in right field with Willi Castro lined up in left and hitting eighth.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Batting leadoff Wednesday
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Kepler will start in right field and bat leadoff Wednesday against the Red Sox.
Kepler served as the Twins' leadoff man in their first four games of the 2023 regular season before landing on the injured list April 5 with right knee tendinitis. He had hit either seventh or eighth since his activation Saturday but will jump back to the top of the order Wednesday versus the Red Sox and right-hander Corey Kluber.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Goes deep Tuesday
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Kepler went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Red Sox.
Kepler went yard in just his third game back from the injured list to put the Twins up 2-1 in the seventh inning. It's his only hit across nine at-bats since returning to the big-league club and he should be expected to see the majority of his time against right-handed pitching.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Activated from 10-day IL
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) was activated from the 10-day injured list Saturday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Kepler passed his final baserunning test and will rejoin the Twins on Saturday afternoon in the Bronx. He was sidelined for the minimum 10 days with right knee tendinitis. Matt Wallner was optioned out in a corresponding roster move.
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Twins' Max Kepler: On track to return this weekend
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) could be activated from the 10-day injured list as soon as Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Kepler was placed on the injured list last weekend retroactive to April 5, so it appears he'll be back after a minimum-length stint on the shelf. The 30-year-old outfielder was batting .125 with a solo home run in 17 plate appearances prior to going down with right knee tendinitis.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Heading to injured list
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) is being placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Kepler has been sidelined since Monday with right knee tendinitis, and he'll move to the injured list after being held out of the lineup again Saturday. Matt Wallner was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move to provide outfield depth.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Sitting again Saturday
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros.
Kepler hasn't seen the field since Monday due to tendinitis in his right knee, and his absence will continue Saturday. Joey Gallo (side) is also sitting out, and the Twins will start Nick Gordon, Michael Taylor and Trevor Larnach from left to right in the outfield.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Uncertain for Saturday
Rotowire
Kepler (knee) might not be ready to play Saturday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Kepler did not play Friday and has been out since Monday due to tendinitis in his right knee. The Twins also lost Joey Gallo (side) during Friday's extra-innings victory, so outfield depth is becoming a bit of an issue. If Kepler can't play soon, a trip to the injured list can't be ruled out.
