The Minnesota Twins have placed outfielder Max Kepler on the 10-day injured list due to patellar tendinitis in his left knee. This unfortunate development for Kepler has paved the way for DaShawn Keirsey Jr. to receive his first-ever call-up to the big leagues from Triple-A St. Paul. In a corresponding move, left-hander Kody Funderburk has been shifted to the 60-day IL to create space for Keirsey on the team’s roster. At 31 years of age, Kepler has been batting .253 with eight home runs and 42 RBI in 105 games this season, representing his tenth consecutive season with the Twins.
“Well he can’t play. So, I mean, that’s why we’re going to do this.”
Rocco Baldelli talks about Max Kepler heading to the IL.#MNTwins | @Audra_Martin pic.twitter.com/BWmW8GuhgC
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) September 5, 2024
Max Kepler Hits IL with Knee Injury
Kepler came out of the All-Star break hitting .316/.357/.468 in 84 plate appearances. It was enough to boost his season line to .273/.320/.412 along the way. However, he’s been swinging a cold bat of late, tallying one hit in his last 17 plate appearances. He even sat out the last four games due to knee discomfort, missing the series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Keirsey, 27, has yet to make his major league debut. He hit .292 with 14 home runs and 75 RBI with the Saints. He will factor into a depleted outfield group with Austin Martin and Michael Helman out with injuries. Funderburk, 27, has not pitched since July 12. He went 1-0 with a 5.61 ERA and one save in 26 relief appearances before landing on the IL.
A Double Dose of Bad News
In the other half of Minnesota’s injury news, outfielder Byron Buxton appeared to be on track to rejoin the roster. That is on hold after Buxton was not only ejected from his Wednesday rehab game but reported an additional right hip soreness. MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park reported that it’s too early to tell how long Buxton will be out, who was originally on the IL with hip inflammation. The Twins will have to play the waiting game for now, especially after no meaningful updates on shortstop Carlos Correa.
Main Photo: © Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
