Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (hip) played in a minor league game on Thursday. The left-handed slugger has been sidelined since exiting early during last Sunday's Grapefruit contest. He's dealing with mild hip tightness, but it doesn't sound like it's going to be a long term issue. The expectation is that he'll play in another minor league contest on Friday. The 30-year-old should be ready in time for Opening Day. Kepler is looking for a bounce back season after struggling in 2022. The potential is there, but we'll see if he can put it together once again.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (hip) was removed early during Sunday's Grapefruit League matchup. The left-handed slugger was pulled out of the game due to left hip tightness. It sounds like this was a precautionary move by the organization. Fantasy managers should consider Kepler as day-to-day right now. The team will likely give another update on his status, but he should be fine for Opening Day. The 30-year-old slugger is looking for a bounce back season after struggling in 2022. He should get a legitimate chance to prove himself as the everyday right fielder.

The probability of the Minnesota Twins trading outfielder Max Kepler has been significantly reduced with spring training quickly approaching. The Twins are fully stocked on left-handed-hitting corner outfielders with Joey Gallo, Kepler, Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner and Nick Gordon. The desired interest in Kepler just wasn't there this offseason after he produced a 2.0 wins above replacement despite hitting just .227/.318/.348 with nine home runs in 446 plate appearances. The 29-year-old continues to show great plate discipline, but his drop in power in 2022 was worrisome. But it could be attributed to multiple injuries that limited him to 115 games played. Kepler needs to put the ball in the air more to rediscover his power, but the ban on shifts should help his cause as far as overall average.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler is drawing a lot of trade interest following the Twins' signing of outfielder and left-handed slugger Joey Gallo on Friday. The Twins have accumulated an abundance of left-handed-hitting corner outfielders. Kepler was already a strong trade candidate before the signing of Gallo, but now he seems even more likely to be moved this offseason. Team officials insist that Kepler has tangible trade value relative to his $8.5 million salary despite back-to-back disappointing seasons. In the last two years, the 29-year-old has hit .219/.312/.382 with a .694 OPS, 28 home runs, 97 RBI, 115 runs scored and 13 stolen bases in 236 games. Kepler dropped from 19 homers in 2021 to just nine in 2022. Perhaps a change of scenery can get him going again.

The Minnesota Twins are placing outfielder Max Kepler (wrist) on the 10-day injured list on Saturday and selecting the contract of outfielder Matt Wallner from the minors in a corresponding move. The team also designated Drew Strotman for assignment. Louie Varland was added to the active roster as the 29th man on Saturday. Kepler had missed the team's last four games with a leg contusion, but he was also dealing with a right wrist sprain. The 29-year-old lefty slugger will be eligible to return next weekend, but he won't have much time to help fantasy managers after that before the end of the season. Kepler has been a very mediocre fantasy asset this year, as he's currently hitting .227/.318/.348 with nine home runs, 43 RBI, 54 runs scored and three stolen bases in 388 at-bats.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (leg) remains out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals. Kepler is dealing with a right leg contusion and will now miss his third straight game this week. Fantasy managers should continue to consider him day-to-day for now. The 29-year-old German native is batting just .227/.318/.348 on the season with nine home runs, 43 RBI, 54 runs scored and three stolen bases in his 388 at-bats. Jake Cave is getting the nod in right field on Thursday and will hit ninth in the batting order against Royals left-hander Daniel Lynch. DFS gamers should be able to find better options than Cave. He's hit just .196 (18-for-92) on the year with three home runs.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler left Sunday's game against the Guardians early with an apparent injury. Gilberto Celestino took over in right field in the beginning of the third inning but there's no report from the Twins as to why Kepler was removed from the lineup. The 29-year-old outfielder has been dealing with some hip tightness recently so that could be the reason for the early exit. The Twins should provide an explanation at the conclusion of Sunday's game.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (hip) is back in the starting lineup Saturday against Triston McKenzie and the Cleveland Guardians. Kepler didn't start the previous five games for the Twins with a hip issue, although he was able to pinch hit during that stretch. Outside of a hot April and May, Kepler has had a brutal season, posting OPS's of .649, 667, .505, and .429 in the months following. Needless to say, you can drop Kepler in virtually any league.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (hip) remains out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the New York Yankees. Kepler will miss his fourth straight game and remains day-to-day for now. The good news is that he's come off the bench in two of the team's last three games, so there's a good chance he'll be back in the starting lineup at some point this weekend against the Cleveland Guardians. Kyle Garlick is in right field on Thursday and is batting leadoff against Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes. Garlick will be a low-cost sleeper play in DFS out of the top spot in the batting order. He's hitting .277 (18-for-65) with six of his nine home runs against left-handed pitching this year.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (hip) was scratched from the starting lineup on Monday against the New York Yankees due to hip tightness. Kepler is said to be available off the bench, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. In 437 plate appearances over 110 games this year, Kepler is hitting .232/.325/.356 with nine home runs, 43 RBI, 54 runs scored and three stolen bases for the Twins. Kyle Garlick is starting in right field and is hitting sixth on Monday against Yankees right-hander Jameson Taillon. Garlick also has nine long balls on the year while hitting .265/.326/.521 with an .847 OPS, 18 RBI and 21 runs scored in 117 at-bats in 2022.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (right fifth toe fracture) has been activated from the 10-day injured list, according to an announcement from the club. In a corresponding move, outfielder Mark Contreras was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul. Kepler has looked solid in his age-29 season, slashing .244/.344/.390 with nine homers, 39 RBI, a 12.2 BB%, and 14.5 K%. He offers upside both at the plate and in the field, amassing 4.6 oWAR and 3.6 dWAR through 85 games. He should be rostered in most fantasy leagues going forward.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (toe), who is dealing with a fractured right fifth toe, said he's been running, hitting and throwing and felt fine after doing outfield work on Wednesday. He said he'll be back "soon." Skipper Rocco Baldelli said it's "possible" that Kepler is activated from the 10-day injured list this weekend. The 29-year-old is eligible to return on Saturday. Once he's back with Minnesota, Kepler should return to being a lineup regular in the outfield. Before his injury, he was slashing .244/.344/.390 with nine home runs, 39 RBI, 41 runs scored and two stolen bases in 337 plate appearances over 85 games in Minnesota. Kepler had played in just two games after the All-Star break before going on the IL.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (toe) and first baseman Miguel Sano (knee) were placed on the 10-day IL Saturday. Kepler had missed the last three games with a toe injury that is now known to be a fractured right pinkie toe. After a hot start at the dish, he has cooled down with just four homers and an OPS below .700 since May 1. Sano had played in just three games since returning from surgery to repair his left knee meniscus, and it's that same knee that is causing him to head back to the IL. Neither player needs to be held onto in any fantasy format. Alex Kirilloff and Gilberto Celestino will likely cover for Kepler in right field, while Luis Arraez and Jose Miranda will take turns playing first in Sano's absence.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (toe) remains out of the starting lineup on Friday against the San Diego Padres. Kepler will miss his third straight game while dealing with a displaced fracture in his right pinkie toe. For now, he's being considered day-to-day, but fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if the Twins eventually put him on the injured list. On the season, the 29-year-old German left-handed hitter is batting .244/.344/.390 with nine home runs, 39 RBI, 41 runs scored and two stolen bases in 287 at-bats. Gilberto Celestino is starting in right field and is batting ninth on Friday against Padres left-hander Blake Snell. Celestino is 1-for-6 in four games over the last two weeks and is still searching for his first home run of the season. Avoid him in DFS.

Updating a previous report, Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (toe) has been diagnosed with a mildly displaced fracture of his pinky toe. According to Twins reporter Do-Hyoung Park, the injury isn't quite as bad as it sounds and Kepler is being considered day-to-day. The fracture isn't on a weight-bearing part of his foot, so he may be able to play through the injury and avoid the injured list. Park reports that the Twins are going to test Kepler out over the coming days to see if he can indeed avoid a stint on the injured list.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (toe) is being held out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Alex Kirilloff is shifting over to cover Kepler's usual right field post while Miguel Sano (knee) is entering the starting lineup following his activation from the injured list. Kepler was hit by a pitch in his left foot during this past Sunday's game against the Detroit Tigers. He exited the game after the incident. The team hasn't released any notable updates on his status the past few days and he should be considered day-to-day for now.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (foot) was hit in his left foot by a pitch during Sunday's game against the Detroit Tigers. He was removed from the game after the incident as Gilberto Celestino came on to pinch run for him. Kepler grounded into a fielder's choice during his first and only other at-bat on Sunday. He earned an RBI during the play and eventually scored later on in the inning. Through 84 games on the year, the 29-year-old owns a .244/.344/.390 slash line to go along with nine home runs.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler went hitless in three at-bats on Saturday during the 4-3 win against the Baltimore Orioles. He walked once and struck out twice in the contest. Kepler's slashing .237/.346/.394 with eight home runs, 35 RBI, 34 runs, and two stolen bases across 70 games. Over his last 30 games, though, Kepler owns a .208 batting average with just two long balls. Considering his career .233 batting average and inability to hit lefties, he can be left alone in most shallow leagues.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler and relief pitchers Emilio Pagan, Caleb Thielbar and Trevor Megill have been activated from the restricted list on Monday. In corresponding moves, Jharel Cotton, Mark Contreras and Ian Hamilton were optioned to Triple-A St. Paul. Kepler, Pagan, Thielbar and Megill weren't able to play in the weekend series in Toronto against the Blue Jays because they aren't vaccinated against COVID-19. Pagan should return to the save's mix for the Twins despite converting only one of his last three save chances. Kepler should be back in the team's starting lineup on Tuesday against New York Yankees right-hander Jameson Taillon after their off day on Monday.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler and relief pitcher Emilio Pagan have been placed on the restricted list. The Twins have a series in Toronto, so they will presumably be without these players because they're unvaccinated. Kepler just returned to action last week due to a quad issue, so fantasy managers will be without him again for a few days. The bigger hit to the roster is losing Pagan for this series. Jhoan Duran could be asked to make an appearance or two in the ninth without Pagan available. Fantasy managers should have Duran on their radar this weekend.