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.
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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.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Taking live batting practice
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
