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

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.