MAX KEPLER NEWS

Not starting Saturday Kepler is on the bench for Saturday's game against the Royals.

Impact Kepler, hitting just .160 in 50 at-bats against lefties this season, takes a seat as the Twins match up against southpaw Danny Duffy. The outfielder went 1-for-4 with a run and three strikeouts Friday. Gilberto Celestino fills in at center field for the afternoon matchup.

JULY 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Thursday's lineup Kepler isn't starting Thursday against the White Sox.

Impact Kepler has gone just 1-for-14 with a double, a run, an RBI, two walks and six strikeouts across his last four appearances, and he'll retreat to the bench for the second time in the last four games. Gilberto Celestino will start in center field and bat eighth.

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Giolito fires back at Donaldson, White Sox beat Twins 7-6

Lucas Giolito lobbed an expletive-laced response in Josh Donaldson’s direction after the slugger appeared to yell “Not sticky anymore,” after a first-inning homer, overshadowing Ga...

JUNE 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not starting Sunday Kepler is not in the starting lineup Sunday against Cleveland.

Impact The outfielder will sit against southpaw Sam Hentges as Luis Arraez, Gilberto Celestino and Trevor Larnach man the outfield from left to right. Kepler is just 4-for-28, including 11 strikeouts, since returning from a hamstring injury June 18.

JUNE 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Riding pine Saturday Kepler isn't starting Saturday's game against Cleveland.

Impact Kepler will get a breather after he went 0-for-8 with four strikeouts across the last two games. Luis Arraez, Gilberto Celestino and Trevor Larnach will start in the outfield from left to right.

JUNE 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Arraez has 8 total bases, Twins top Indians 8-7

Luis Arraez hit two triples and a tiebreaking two-run double in the sixth inning, sparking the Minnesota Twins in a 8-7 victory over the Cleveland Indians

JUNE 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Eddie Rosario's big hit lifts Indians over Twins 4-1

Eddie Rosario broke an eighth-inning tie with a two-run single and the Cleveland Indians defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-1

JUNE 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Indians, streaking Rosario set for matchup against Twins

Rosario takes a 10-game hit streak into matchup with Twins

JUNE 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Naquin's 3-run homer in 9th gives Reds 10-7 win over Twins

Tyler Naquin went 4 for 4 with a three-run home run that broke a ninth-inning tie after the ragged Cincinnati bullpen lost a five-run lead

JUNE 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

On base four times Monday Kepler went 2-for-4 with two walks, a run scored and a stolen base in Monday's 7-5 extra-innings win over the Reds.

Impact The steal was his seventh of the year in seven attempts, setting a new career high, while the multi-hit effort was Kepler's first in four games since returning from the IL. His .211/.310/.401 slash line on the season remains poor, but he's provided some fantasy value with five homers, 22 runs and 24 RBI through 41 contests in addition to his stolen bases

JUNE 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Buxton, Maeda, Twins win 4th in row; Texas skid hits 6

Byron Buxton launched a two-run home run into the second deck beyond left field eight pitches into the game and Kenta Maeda earned his first win since May 3 as the Minnesota Twins...

JUNE 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Newly healthy Twins help lead team to victory ARLINGTON, Texas — Max Kepler raced home to score the go-ahead run on Saturday. If it wasn’t for Luis Arraez spinning out of the way of a ba...

JUNE 19, 2021 • TWINCITIES.COM

Twins take lead on consecutive wild pitches, top Rangers 3-2

Max Kepler scored the go-ahead run on a second consecutive wild pitch from Texas reliever John King in the seventh inning, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Rangers 3-2

JUNE 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Adds RBI in return Kepler (hamstring) went 0-for-5 with an RBI and two strikeouts in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning win over Texas.

Impact Kepler hit into a fielder's choice that led to Minnesota's second of three runs in the first inning. It was an otherwise disappointing return for the outfielder after he missed nearly three weeks with a left hamstring strain. The 28-year-old is slashing just .204/.293/.409 with five home runs, 23 RBI, 20 runs scored and five stolen bases through 157 plate appearances. He should resume an everyday role in right field, likely forcing Alex Kirilloff to compete for playing time in left field or at first base.

JUNE 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Twins' triple and 2 bases-loaded walks in 10th beat Texas

Luis Arraez hit an RBI triple to start the Minnesota 10th inning and the Twins then drew two bases-loaded walks to beat the Texas Rangers 7-5

JUNE 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starting in return Kepler (hamstring) is starting in right field and batting fifth Friday against the Rangers.

Impact Kepler was activated from the injured list earlier Friday after missing almost three weeks with a left hamstring strain. He'll look to start improving upon a .212/.303/.424 slash line in his return to the Minnesota lineup.

JUNE 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Kepler (hamstring) was activated off the injured list Friday and will start in right field against the Rangers, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact Kepler will wind up missing just shy of three weeks with his left hamstring strain. He wasn't swinging a particularly hot bat prior to the injury, hitting .212/.303/.424 through 37 games, but he'll return to his starting role for now. Gilberto Celestino was optioned in a corresponding move.

JUNE 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers look to end 3-game skid against Twins

Texas will try to break its three-game losing streak when the Rangers take on Minnesota

JUNE 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cruz, Ober lift Twins over Mariners 7-2

Nelson Cruz hit a three-run homer against his former team, rookie starter Bailey Ober struck out six and the Minnesota Twins beat the Seattle Mariners 7-2

JUNE 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Eyeing Friday return Kepler (hamstring) could be activated from the injured list for Friday's game against the Rangers, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact Barring any setbacks, Kepler is a couple days from appearing in his first game with the Twins since May 29.

JUNE 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners host the Twins following Flexen's strong outing

Seattle looks to follow up a dominant performance by Tuesday starter Chris Flexen

JUNE 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Flexen expected to start for the Mariners against the Twins

The Twins will start J.A

JUNE 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brantley has 4 of Astros' 20 hits in 14-3 rout of Twins

Michael Brantley had his second four-hit game of the series and drove in four runs, and the Houston Astros had a season-high 20 hits and routed Minnesota 14-3 to take two of three...

JUNE 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Beginning rehab assignment Sunday Kepler (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Saint Paul, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact Kepler has been on the injured list since May 30 with a left hamstring strain. He ran the bases Saturday and will begin a rehab stint Sunday, which manager Rocco Baldelli said will last "a few days," per Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Given that timeline, Kepler could return by the final game of the series against Seattle on Wednesday, but will almost certainly be back for Friday's series opener against Texas, assuming all goes well during his time with St. Paul.

JUNE 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Could begin rehab assignment Kepler (hamstring) ran the bases Saturday without issue and could begin a rehab assignment in the next few days, MLB.com reports.

Impact Manager Rocco Baldelli said that Kepler could be activated from the injured list during the team's upcoming road trip in Seattle and Texas. Kepler, who was placed on the injured list May 30, was thought to initially be out only the minimum 10 days, and he's finally showing significant signs of progress.

JUNE 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE