MAX KEPLER NEWS

Max Kepler will hit leadoff for Twins in season opener The right fielder once thrived in the role, and he'll get another shot at it to start the 2023 campaign.

MARCH 30, 2023 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Twins slide Max Kepler back into leadoff spot to begin season Max Kepler has hit leadoff in the past, but did not do much of it last season.

MARCH 29, 2023 • TWINCITIES.COM

Returns from hip injury Kepler (hip) started in right field and went 1-for 2 in Saturday's spring training loss to Atlanta. He's hitting .357 (10-for-28) with two home runs this spring.

Impact Kepler was removed from Sunday's spring game against Atlanta due to left hip tightness, but it shouldn't be an issue for Opening Day. Kepler was the subject of trade talk over the winter, but he looks set to begin the season as the starting right fielder. He's a candidate to benefit from the ban on shifts since he's a pull hitter who hits too many ground balls. His 2019 season (when he hit 36 home runs) featured a Pull% of 50.8 percent compared to just 41.7 percent last season.

MARCH 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays in minor league game Kepler (hip) played in a minor league game Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Impact Kepler was removed from Sunday's spring game against Atlanta due to left hip tightness. However, it doesn't sound like the injury is serious and he's expected to play in another minor league game Friday.

MARCH 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with hip tightness Kepler was removed from Sunday's spring game against Atlanta due to left hip tightness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact Kepler went 0-for-1 before being replaced in the field after the third inning. The 30-year-old was the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason but has remained in Minnesota, and he's hit well during spring training with a .360/.448/.720 slash line and two home runs. It's unclear if the hip issue will affect his availability for Opening Day, which is less than two weeks away.

MARCH 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hits first spring home run Kepler went 2-for-3 with his first home run of spring training in Monday's win over the Yankees. He's hitting .400 (8-for-20) this spring.

Impact Kepler was the subject of trade talk over the winter, but he looks set to begin the season as the starting right fielder. He's a candidate to benefit from the ban on shifts since he's a pull hitter who hits too many ground balls. His 2019 season (when he hit 36 home runs) featured a Pull% of 50.8 percent compared to just 41.7 percent last season.

MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Twins trip Yankees, with only run coming on Max Kepler's homer Danny Coulombe got the start in the three-hit shutout, although New York played mostly minor leaguers.

MARCH 13, 2023 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Twins mailbag: Max Kepler vs. Trevor Larnach, infield of the future, extension candidates and Brooks Lee plans Plus updates on Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco, the best role for Josh Winder, Joey Gallo projections and the Twins as an NBA team.

MARCH 9, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

To the Max: Top 6 players with the best chance for a power-hitting rebound Al Melchior tabs a half dozen hitters, like Max Muncy and Max Kepler, who are likely to enjoy a rebound in the power department in 2023.

MARCH 7, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Phillies prospect Painter dazzles with heat in spring debut

Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter tossed two solid innings in his spring training debut

MARCH 1, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

After a season spent in 'a dark place,' MLB's new rules have Max Kepler optimistic Kepler spent the offseason in Paris and is feeling optimistic about the effect shift limitations will have on his game.

FEBRUARY 27, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Likely staying put Minnesota plans to move forward with Kepler on the roster after the team didn't find enough interest on the trade market, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Impact Kepler seemingly was on the way out of Minnesota after the Twins signed Joey Gallo, but Hayes writes that trade interest in Kepler "hasn't been there" and the team now plans to hang on to the veteran outfielder. The trade of Luis Arraez did free up more playing time, and it's probably not a bad idea to keep Kepler around given Gallo's uncertain outlook and the injury history of Alex Kirilloff.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Twins appear content to keep Max Kepler with the season rapidly approaching Knowing what Kepler already provides, the Twins are willing to keep him around unless another team meets their price.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Why the Twins are shopping Max Kepler and where his trade value stands Kepler has been part of the Twins' core for seven years, but they seem ready to move on ahead of his age-30 season.

DECEMBER 15, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

MLB Winter Meetings: 10 trade candidates to watch

While splash signings have consumed the MLB Winter Meetings thus far, Jordan Shusterman lists 10 potential trades to keep an eye on.

DECEMBER 7, 2022

Twins take 4-game losing streak into matchup against the White Sox

The Minnesota Twins head into the matchup against the Chicago White Sox after losing four games in a row

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins play the White Sox looking to break road losing streak

The Minnesota Twins will aim to break their three-game road skid in a matchup with the Chicago White Sox

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins visit the White Sox in season opener

The Chicago White Sox host the Minnesota Twins for the season opener

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tigers and Twins play in series rubber match

Both the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tigers take on the Twins on home winning streak

The Detroit Tigers host the Minnesota Twins trying to continue a three-game home winning streak

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

White Sox bring 8-game losing streak into matchup against the Twins

The Chicago White Sox enter the matchup against the Minnesota Twins after losing eight straight games

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

White Sox head into matchup against the Twins on losing streak

The Chicago White Sox aim to stop their seven-game losing streak with a victory against the Minnesota Twins

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins play the White Sox in first of 3-game series

The Minnesota Twins start a three-game series at home against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday

SEPTEMBER 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins and Angels meet in series rubber match

The Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels meet on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Twins bring 5-game losing streak into matchup against the Angels

The Minnesota Twins will try to break a five-game skid when they play the Los Angeles Angels

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS