There was a chance the Minnesota Twins would get some reinforcements for the final week of the season. No roster move was announced before Tuesday’s game, and now we know Max Kepler’s season is over.
No farewell tour for Minnesota Twins Max Kepler
Max Kepler has been battling knee pain for weeks. He ended up on the injured list after impacting the lineup by trying to play despite knee pain. After facing a live pitcher on Monday, it was decided that he would be suspended, ending his season.
According to Rocco, Max Kepler is not expected to return in the regular season.
Chris Paddack threw live yesterday and plans to throw again on Thursday, after which a decision point is possible.
Justin Topa feels physically ready to return, he says, after his two appearances with the Saints went well.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) 24 September 2024
The Minnesota Twins signed Kepler as a teenager from Germany. He has been with the organization since 2010. Joe Mauer was still a catcher at the time and Target Field was less than a year old. With 1,072 major league games under his belt, Kepler hit 161 home runs with a slash average of .237/.318/.429.
The #MNTwins Lineup when Max Kepler was last not part of the organization:
Denard Span CF
Orlando Hudson2B
Joe Mauer C
Justin Morneau 1B
Michael Cuddyer3B
Jason Kubel RF
Delmon Young LF
Nick Punto SS
Carl Pavano P(20.06.10)
— Ted (@tlschwerz) 24 September 2024
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After a strong 2018 season, the Minnesota Twins extended Kepler’s (and Jorge Polanco’s) contract. As a prominent member of the Bomba Squad, Kepler hit a career-high 36 home runs in 2019. Aside from his resurgence in 2023, this should be his only offensively above-average season.
Max Kepler is on track to hit 120 home runs this season#BombaSquad | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/Nq4b9mbY8j
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) 25 July 2020
At 32, Kepler will become a free agent for the first time. It remains likely that someone will give him a one-year deal so he can play right field. He has still put up above-average defensive performance this season, posting four outs above average and two fielding run values.
Related Topics: Breakout Starter Named Minnesota Twins’ Best Minor League Young Player by Baseball America
The reality is that the suitor won’t be Minnesota, and the two sides will go their separate ways for the first time in over a decade. It’s been quite a run.
Pitching help is also unclear for the Twins
Kepler wasn’t the only player the Minnesota Twins wanted to return to. Justin Topa, acquired in exchange for Jorge Polanco, has yet to play in a major league game this season. Topa is physically ready, but Minnesota has not yet cleared him. He made two rehab appearances for the Saints, but allowed three runs on a home run in the first game.
Standing ovation for Chris Paddack. He allowed a leadoff single on his first pitch, but quickly struck out the next three.
This stuff looks really good. Fastball up to 99.0 mph, the hardest pitch of his MLB career. pic.twitter.com/mjGQ8Qdszs
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) 27 September 2023
The Twins’ bullpen was a disaster in the second half, and Topa would seemingly be a backup to Rocco Baldelli. Chris Paddack has been out since July and would also take a spot in the bullpen. Last season, Minnesota put Paddack in the bullpen after he recovered from Tommy John surgery. His results as a starter this year have been mediocre at best.
Minnesota’s decision not to use either pitcher on Tuesday is telling. Waiting until Thursday for another pitching session from Paddack essentially gives him just one game to make an impression. Realistically, the schedule just seems tight.
Related Topics: Minnesota Twins swap bullpen pitchers
The Twins have six games left and are behind both the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers in the battle for the final playoff spot.
Read more: Minnesota Twins News
