The plan is for Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (knee) to run the bases at Target Field on Tuesday or Wednesday, and a rehab assignment could come shortly thereafter. Kepler was placed on the injured list last Tuesday with a right knee contusion he sustained on Opening Day, as he was still experiencing soreness after trying to play through the issue following a few days of rest. If all goes well in his recovery, the 31-year-old righty masher should be able to return to the banged-up Twins before the end of April. Not only did Kepler struggle during the spring, but he also went just 1-for-20 to begin the regular season before going down and doesn't need to be stashed in most fantasy leagues. More at-bats will remain available to Matt Wallner, Manuel Margot, and Austin Martin in Minnesota's outfield in the interim, but none of which are worth rostering in the majority of settings at this time.

The Minnesota Twins placed outfielder Max Kepler (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a right-knee contusion. The club also acquired right-hander Michael Tonkin from the New York Mets for cash considerations and moved right-hander Zack Weiss (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list with a right-shoulder strain. The 31-year-old Kepler has struggled with injuries in his career and will now miss at least the next 10 days with what doesn't appear to be a major injury. He last played on Saturday and will be eligible to return to the Twins on April 17. In addition to the injury, Kepler has gone just 1-for-20 with six strikeouts in his first five games in 2024. Until he's able to return, Manuel Margot and Matt Wallner will likely platoon in right field.

Minnesota Twins second baseman Edouard Julien, first baseman Alex Kirilloff and outfielder Max Kepler are all sitting on Monday against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander James Paxton. Kyle Farmer is starting at second base and batting sixth, Ryan Jeffers is the designated hitter and batting third, and Manuel Margot is in right field and hitting leadoff against Paxton. Farmer, Jeffers and Margot have a combined four career at-bats against Paxton. Both Margot and Jeffers will be DFS sleeper options against Paxton on this one. The 26-year-old Kirilloff has been on the bench in both of the games that the Twins have faced a left-handed hurler this year.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (leg) is back in right field and is hitting cleanup for the Twins on Tuesday as they take on right-hander Jakob Junis and the Milwaukee Brewers. Kepler fouled a ball off his right leg on Opening Day on Thursday and missed the previous two games as a result. Thankfully, the injury wasn't too serious, though, and he's back in the lineup for the series opener against Milwaukee. The 31-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has been a bit injury-prone in his career but offers some decent power as the team's regular right fielder, at least against right-handed pitching. Kepler went 0-for-4 on Opening Day with two strikeouts before injuring his leg, so he'll be searching for his first hit of 2024 on Tuesday in his return to the lineup.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (knee) is still not running. Kepler exited Minnesota's 4-1 Opening Day win over the Kansas City Royals after he fouled a ball off his right knee in the top of the eighth inning, but X-rays revealed no fracture and that he's only dealing with a contusion. Though Twins president Derek Falvey said on Saturday that Kepler was in the clear from a medical standpoint, the pain was still preventing the 31-year-old right fielder from running, per manager Rocco Baldelli, who noted that an injured-list stint could be an option if Kepler is still unable to play for the start of a two-game road set against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday. The big-armed Matt Wallner would take the majority of reps in right field if Kepler remains out of action, and he's worth considering in fantasy leagues for power numbers after he smacked 14 home runs in 213 at-bats last year.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (leg) remains out of the starting lineup on Sunday as the team faces off against the Kansas City Royals. Kepler fouled a ball off his right leg on Opening Day on Thursday and hasn't appeared for the Twins since, although X-rays came back negative on his leg. Matt Wallner is starting in right field for the Twins on Sunday and is hitting fifth in the batting order versus right-hander Brady Singer. Fantasy managers should consider Kepler day-to-day for now, and with another off day coming for the Twins on Monday, there's a good chance that Kepler will be able to return to the team's starting lineup on Tuesday, April 2, against the Milwaukee Brewers on the road. Wallner is hitless in his two at-bats so far this year with a walk and a strikeout.

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that outfielder Max Kepler (leg) had X-rays come back negative on his injured leg. Kepler left Thursday's Opening Day contest early against the Kansas City Royals after fouling a ball off his leg, but the team will see how he's moving around after an off day on Friday. Fantasy managers will have to check back on Saturday to see if the 31-year-old left-handed hitter will be available to face KC following the off day. If Kepler misses any time this weekend, Matt Wallner would likely get a start in right field. Before leaving the game early on Thursday, Kepler had a rough day at the plate to kick off the 2024 season, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (leg) left Thursday's Opening Day contest early against the Kansas City Royals after fouling a ball off his right leg. Matt Wallner entered the game to replace Kepler in right field. Before leaving the game, Kepler went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. The 31-year-old left-handed slugger was at least able to finish out his at-bat after fouling the ball off his leg, but fantasy managers will have to check back for more information on Kepler's injury. It's not the start that he was looking for after a strong season in 2023 in which he hit .260/.332/.484 with an .816 OPS, 24 home runs and 66 RBI in 130 games. Injuries have been an issue for Kepler before, but hopefully this one doesn't keep him out for long, if at all. If Kepler misses extended time, Wallner would be in line for more playing time in right field.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (pectoral) was scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers due to left-pectoral tightness. It's unclear how serious Kepler's pectoral injury is, but for now he'll be considered day-to-day. With Opening Day just right around the corner next Thursday, though, the 31-year-old veteran outfielder could be in danger of missing the start of the regular season, depending on the severity of the injury. Kepler had a bounce-back year in 2023, slashing .260/.332/.484 with an .816 OPS, 24 home runs and 66 RBI in 130 games played in his ninth big-league season. He hit the ball hard and lowered his strikeout rate while also slightly improving against left-handed pitching. Kepler should once again see most of the playing time in right field for the Twins and is an outfield depth option for his power in deep-mixed fantasy leagues.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler has had a rough start to his spring ahead of what is a pivotal season for the 31-year-old. Kepler is just 2-for-16 (.125) with one homer and two walks versus three strikeouts across 18 trips to the plate, good for a lowly .535 OPS in that time. A free agent following the 2024 season, Kepler is coming off an excellent 2023 campaign that saw him hit .260 with 24 home runs, 72 runs, 66 RBI, and an .816 OPS across 491 trips to the plate. He saw a decrease in his walk rate and an increase in his strikeout rate a season ago but his 124 wRC+ was a career-high. He projects for a .247 average with 20 homers and four steals by ATC for the 2024 season, giving him fair value with an ADP of 282.6.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler and second baseman Jorge Polanco both had their 2024 club options exercised by the club on Thursday. The decisions were widely expected after Kepler and Polanco both enjoyed quality campaigns at the plate in 2023. Kepler, who will earn $10 million next season, posted a career-high batting average of .260 while slugging 24 home runs alongside an .816 OPS across 130 games this season. He is scheduled to hit free agency following the 2024 season. Polanco, who will take home $10.5 million in 2024, dealt with a knee injury again this season but managed to hit .255 with 14 home runs, four stolen bases, and a .789 OPS across 343 plate appearances. The Twins hold an additional club option on the 30-year-old for the 2025 campaign. Both players will aim to contribute to a second consecutive AL Central crown in the 2024 campaign.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler will bat eighth and play right field Sunday night against Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez. Kepler has batted fourth in each postseason game but will drop to the bottom of the lineup with a lefty on the mound for Houston. The 30-year-old had a .250/.320/.432 slash line against left-handers this season with four home runs. It was one of the best offensive seasons for Kepler and he held his own against lefties, so while he moves down in the lineup, he won't be taking a seat.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (foot) is back in right field and is batting in the three-hole on Wednesday as he faces right-hander Alex Faedo and the Detroit Tigers. Kepler took the day off on Tuesday after he was hit by a pitch on his right foot during Monday's contest. The 30-year-old left-handed slugger is fine, though, and he'll return to action on Wednesday. Other than providing some power in deeper mixed leagues with 18 home runs, Kepler hasn't done much for fantasy managers with a .238/.301/.465 slash line with 43 RBI and 45 runs scored in 286 at-bats this year. However, he's been much better in the second half so far, going 26-for-83 (.313) with six long balls, six doubles, 13 RBI and 18 runs scored in 23 games (20 starts) since the All-Star break.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (foot) is not in the starting lineup on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers. Kepler was hit by a pitch on his right foot late in Monday's game and had to leave the contest, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that he's out on Tuesday, especially with the Twins facing Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. Matt Wallner is starting in right field and is batting seventh in the order against E-Rod. The 30-year-old Kepler's foot injury isn't believed to be very serious, so he has a great chance to return to action on Wednesday after a day off. He's been swinging a hot bat since the All-Star break and can provide useful power in deeper fantasy leagues when the Twins are facing right-handed pitching.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (foot) injured his right foot in Monday's game against the Detroit Tigers while being hit by a pitch, but he was moving around pretty well and seemed OK after the contest. Kepler broke his pinkie toe on a hit by pitch last year, and it derailed his season, but this doesn't look to be as serious. For now, fantasy managers should consider the 30-year-old left-handed hitter to be day-to-day, and don't be surprised if he's not in the lineup on Tuesday. He went 1-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a strikeout in Monday's 9-3 win. Kepler has 18 home runs on the season and has been hot since the All-Star break, going 26-for-83 (.313) with six long balls, six doubles, 13 RBI and 18 runs scored in 23 games (20 starts).

Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis and outfielder Max Kepler are both out of the team's starting lineup on Monday against the Boston Red Sox. Lewis is taking a day off after going 2-for-11 with an RBI and two runs scored in the team's four-game series against the Detroit Tigers over the weekend. Lewis is hitting .281 (16-for-57) overall with two homers and 10 RBI. Kepler went hitless in the series with two strikeouts in only three at-bats to drop his season line to a weak .189/.261/.365 with seven homers and 18 RBI in 46 games. Kyle Farmer is getting the start at third base and is hitting seventh on Monday, while Alex Kirilloff is starting in right field and batting fifth against Red Sox left-hander James Paxton.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (head) left the game early on Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians due to a migraine. Before departing the contest, Kepler went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a strikeout. He just recently returned from the 10-day injured list due to a hamstring injury, but hopefully his migraine issues won't force him back to the IL anytime soon. For now, fantasy managers should consider the 30-year-old left-handed hitter to be day-to-day. In 32 games played for the Twins so far in 2023, Kepler has really struggled at the plate, batting .198 (23-for-116) with five doubles, six home runs, 15 RBI and 19 runs scored.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler was removed from Thursday's game against the Cleveland Guardians with a possible injury. He went 1-for-3 with an RBI before being removed from the game. The 30-year-old was replaced in right field by Joey Gallo. It's unclear if Kepler re-aggravated an existing hamstring injury as he was recently activated from the injured list on May 29. Kepler is slashing .198/.275/.397 with six home runs, 15 RBI, and one run over 32 games. Kepler is considered day-to-day, and the Twins will provide an update after the game.

The Minnesota Twins reinstated outfielder Max Kepler (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Monday and optioned outfielder Kyle Garlick to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. Kepler will return to the Twins after skipping a minor-league rehab assignment. The 30-year-old left-handed hitter landed on the injured list on May 13, and he should return to a pretty regular role in right field for the Twins, at least when the team is facing right-handed pitching. He is back in the starting lineup right away on Monday, starting in right and hitting sixth against Houston Astros right-hander J.P. France. Kepler was hitting just .212 (21-for-99) with five doubles, six home runs and 14 RBI in 28 games played before his hamstring injury.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (hamstring) is nearing a return. While speaking after Saturday's win over the Toronto Blue Jays, the veteran reported he's "a couple of days from being fully recovered." During a meeting with the Padres on May 11, Kepler suffered a left hamstring strain, resulting in a trip to the injured list. However, the 30-year-old is rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues, so his return won't mean much for many fantasy managers.