Max Kepler's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

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.