Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler's (hip, knee) knee is doing better, but he experienced soreness in his hip area that led to him getting a cortisone injection on Monday, according to president of baseball operations Derek Falvey. The hope is that Kepler can get into minor-league rehab games with Triple-A St. Paul and possibly return to the Twins for their final homestand against the Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles that runs from Tuesday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Sept. 29. The Twins are trying to ramp the 31-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder for a possible postseason run in October. He has been dealing with tendinitis in his knee since early September, although his hip injury is now the bigger concern. Kepler is having a down year with only eight homers and a .682 OPS in 105 games, but the Twins are still hoping he can be an option for them against right-handed pitchers to close out the year.

The Minnesota Twins placed outfielder Max Kepler (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with left-patellar tendinitis and recalled rookie outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. from the minors in a corresponding move. Pitcher Kody Funderbunk (oblique) was moved to the 60-day IL to add Keirsey to the 40-man roster. Kepler had been dealing with a knee injury for a while and had only played in three of the team's last 11 games, so a move to put him on the IL made sense. The 31-year-old left-handed hitter has been a disappointment in 2024, but the Twins will likely just be looking to get him healthy for a potential playoff run now. Keirsey, who will be making his MLB debut, will likely just be a bench player in Minnesota for the time being, with most of the extra playing time in right field going to Matt Wallner. Wallner, also a lefty hitter, has batted .261 (42-for-161) on the year with 10 homers and 28 RBI.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (knee) is out of the starting lineup again on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Kepler will miss his second straight game after he was scratched from Monday's lineup with more soreness in his left knee. In his place, rookie Michael Helman will make his major-league debut, starting in right field and batting ninth against Rays left-hander Jeffrey Springs. It's an issue that Kepler has been dealing with recently. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. The 31-year-old German has provided very little to fantasy managers in 2024 with a .253/.302/.380 slash line with a below-average .682 OPS and just eight homers and 42 RBI in 368 at-bats. Helman, a former 11th-round pick in 2018 out of Texas A&M, got the call-up to the big leagues after hitting .283 with 13 home runs, 43 RBI and 10 steals in 63 games for Triple-A St. Paul this year.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (undisclosed) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The team hasn't given a reason why Kepler was scratched, but it's probably related to his lingering knee issue. For now, fantasy managers should consider Kepler as day-to-day until further notice. Carlos Santana will replace him in the lineup, while Trevor Larnach takes over the designated hitter spot against right-hander Zack Littell. Larnach has been a surprisingly decent bat for the Twins this season. He's hitting .253 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI, so he'll probably see more time at DH until Kepler returns.UPDATE: Kepler was scratched with left-knee soreness after missing time last week with the same injury.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (knee) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The 31-year-old outfielder continues to deal with a lingering left knee issue. The hope is that Kepler can rest on Friday and be available to play this weekend. For now, fantasy managers should consider Kepler as day-to-day. Matt Wallner will play right field and bat cleanup against right-hander Kevin Gausman on Friday. Wallner has eight hits, two home runs, and three RBI over his last five games. He's worth a look as a streaming option until Kepler is back in the mix.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (knee) is starting in right field and is batting sixth against Atlanta Braves rookie right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach at Target Field on Tuesday. Kepler will make a return to the lineup for Minnesota after missing the previous two games with left-knee soreness. The 31-year-old left-handed hitter won't be a popular DFS play in his return given his recent slump. He's hitting only .236 (17-for-72) with two home runs, three doubles, six RBI and 16 strikeouts in 19 games in the month of August but has also gone 4-for-30 (.133) in his last eight games since Aug. 15. Kepler is always a better bet against right-handed pitching, but he's done very little for fantasy managers in 2024 with a .259/.309/.392 slash line and only eight home runs, 42 RBI and 42 runs scored in 355 at-bats.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (knee) was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to left-knee soreness, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. As a result, he was replaced by Manuel Margot. It is still unclear how severe the injury is, so fantasy managers should consider the 31-year-old to be day-to-day for the time being. If Kepler were to miss any significant period of time, Margot would be a strong candidate to see the majority of starts in right field, with Matt Wallner occasionally slotting in when he is not serving as the designated hitter. Before the injury, Kepler carried a .236 average this month with an overall .259/.309/.392 slash line this summer.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler had a solid game at the plate in Tuesday's 13-3 win over the Royals. Kepler went 3-for-5 with two singles, a three-run home run, four RBI, and two strikeouts. The 31-year-old managed to pull a sixth-inning William Smith slider off the plate, sending it into the right-field porch for his eighth HR of the season. His power production has been middling, but Kepler has put up a serviceable .271/.320/.412 slash line with 41 runs scored and 41 RBI in 354 plate appearances. He should continue to provide a decent fantasy floor if the Twins continue to hit well as a team.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (head) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Kepler was held out of the lineup for a few games after getting hit in the head earlier in the week. Kepler was able to come off the bench and play during Saturday's game. Now, Kepler will fifth and play right field versus right-hander Chris Flexen on Sunday. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Kepler back in their lineups ahead of first pitch.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (head) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Kepler was removed from Wednesday's game after getting hit in the head. For now, Kepler is being considered as day-to-day, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him land on the injured list. Matt Wallner will cover right field and bat fifth versus right-hander Davis Martin on Friday. Fantasy managers who have Kepler rostered will have to wait at least one more game.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (head) was removed from Wednesday's win over the hosting New York Mets early with a head injury after he was hit in the helmet by catcher Francisco Alvarez's throw to second base at the end of the fourth inning. Kepler departed the contest an inning later. Before leaving, the 31-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder went 1-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, a run scored and a strikeout in the eventual 8-3 victory. He was replaced in right field by Manuel Margot, who would be in line for increased playing time if Kepler's injury forces him to the injured list. Kepler is surely being checked for a concussion, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready to play on Friday for a series opener against the division-rival Chicago White Sox after an off day on Thursday. He's produced minimal counting stats in 2024 with a six homers, 35 RBI and 37 runs in 280 at-bats.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler will head to the bench on Tuesday against the visiting Detroit Tigers and tough left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal. Kepler typically heads to the bench against left-handers, so this shouldn't be a surprise for fantasy managers at this point in the season. Manuel Margot will make the start in right field for the Twins and will bat leadoff against Skubal. Kepler has only received 36 at-bats against southpaws this year but has held his own with 10 hits, including one of his six home runs on the season. The 31-year-old left-handed-hitting German has been basically a league-average hitter against mostly right-handers in 2024 with limited power (six homers). Margot has posted a weak .635 OPS and only two homers this year, although he's batting .315 (23-for-73) with both of his round-trippers coming against lefties.

With Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Jordan Montgomery on the bump for Thursday's series finale, Minnesota Twins outfielders Max Kepler and Trevor Larnach will both retreat to the bench, as usual. With both lefties starting on the pine on Thursday, Manuel Margot will start in right field and bat leadoff, with Kyle Farmer drawing into the lineup at second base and batting ninth against Montgomery. Infielder Jose Miranda will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup. Both Kepler and Larnach should be back in the fold for the Twins for Friday's series opener against the Seattle Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert. Margot is an intriguing DFS sleeper out of the leadoff spot on Thursday against Montgomery, whom he's hit .375 against in 16 career at-bats with a home run and three RBI.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (neck) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The left-handed slugger is back in the lineup following a three-game absence due to neck spasms. Kepler will bat cleanup and play right field against right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. Fantasy managers who have Kepler rostered can get him back in their lineups on Tuesday.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (neck) is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Oakland Athletics. It will be the third straight absence for Kepler as he continues to deal with neck spasms. It initially looked like Kepler would avoid a trip to the injured list, but that is a bit more unclear now. The 31-year-old is slashing .251/.311/.422 with six home runs, 28 RBI and 25 runs across 55 games this season. He remains a fine power option in deeper league formats and should hopefully return to the lineup soon.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (neck) is expected to avoid the injured list after leaving Thursday's game early due to neck spasms. Kepler felt his neck tighten up when he was in the on-deck circle in the first inning. He then tried to bunt for a base hit and attempted a head-first slide into first base before being pulled. "It's a little stiff when I look to my right, but the docs and trainers said it's just muscular and it should clear up within a couple days," said Kepler, who will travel with the Twins to Oakland for their upcoming road trip. Fantasy managers will have to check back later to see if Kepler is back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the A's and right-hander Joey Estes. The 31-year-old left-handed hitter remains a decent source of power in deeper fantasy leagues when he's active against right-handed pitching.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (neck) left the game early on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays with neck spasms. Kepler appeared to get hurt while sliding head-first into first base. He was replaced by Manuel Margot in left field, with Trevor Larnach moving to right field. Before leaving the contest early, Kepler went hitless in his lone at-bat to drop his season average to .251. Until we know more about the 31-year-old's status, he should be considered day-to-day. Fantasy baseball managers will want to check back to see if he's back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Oakland against the Athletics. If Kepler's injury is serious enough to force him to the injured list, Margot would likely be the biggest beneficiary in Minnesota's outfield. In addition to his injury, Kepler has struggled in June, going 11-for-57 (.193) with two homers, eight RBI and 17 K's in 15 games played.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler enjoyed a special night during Friday's extra-inning victory over the visiting Oakland Athletics, walking it off and also smashing his fifth home run of the season. Before hitting a walk-off single to right field to win the game for the Twins 6-5 in 10 innings, Kepler became Target Field's all-time leader in homers by slugging a three-run game-tying shot off Athletics right-hander Mitch Spence to right-center field to draw the game even at 4-4 in the sixth. The 31-year-old righty masher is Minnesota's primary right fielder against left-handed pitching, limiting his overall fantasy appeal with a .263/.326/.433 triple-slash line alongside 27 RBI, 14 doubles, 21 runs scored, and one stolen bag over 51 appearances (171 at-bats) this season. Despite Friday's heroics, Kepler remains more of an AL-only option.

Minnesota Twins left-handed hitters Max Kepler, Edouard Julien, Alex Kirilloff and Trevor Larnach are all on the bench on Tuesday as the team takes on left-hander Patrick Corbin and the Washington Nationals. Kepler is on the bench for the second straight day for the suddenly struggling Twins. The 31-year-old lefty slugger has had a great year to this point, though, batting .303/.352/.505 with an .857 OPS, three home runs and 17 RBI in 29 games. He's even hitting .400 against lefties, but in just 20 at-bats. Kepler and most of Minnesota's lefty hitters typically find themselves riding pine against southpaws. Manuel Margot is in right field and is hitting leadoff, while Ryan Jeffers is the designated hitter and is batting second in a great matchup against Corbin. ... [More]