5 September 2024
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — On the eve of one of their most important series of the season — a three-game set against division foe Kansas City — the Twins announced that center fielder Byron Buxton felt hip discomfort while playing in a rehab game and Max Kepler needs a stint on the injured list.
It’s tough news for a team that has seen a glut of injuries crop up — Buxton, Carlos Correa and Joe Ryan are among those currently on the IL — and was hoping to get Buxton back to face the Royals. That now seems unlikely after the outfielder, who was ejected from Wednesday night’s game in St. Paul, felt soreness in his hip in his second at-bat of the night.
“He didn’t feel the way he needed to feel in the game in order for him to come back and return right now,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “We’ll see how he’s doing over the next 24, 48 (hours) and then we’ll have more to talk about.”
Buxton has been on the injured list with right hip inflammation since Aug. 15 and played seven innings on Monday in St. Paul before Wednesday’s flare up.
As for Kepler, the right fielder is dealing with left knee tendinitis that first kept him out of the lineup on Aug. 25. Kepler returned and played in parts of four games but had missed three straight against Tampa Bay before the Twins made the roster move.
“We tried to work through it, but he wasn’t able to come back and be able to run, be able to swing,” Baldelli said. “He just can’t do it right now, so we have no real choice but to put him on the IL. (It’s) obviously challenging when we have a few guys out already and then we lose Kep, we lose another one. But, it’s our reality at the moment so we have to have guys step up.”
Keirsey gets his chance
Kepler’s injury means that 27-year-old rookie DaShawn Keirsey Jr. will get his first major league opportunity. The outfielder was hitting .292 with a .839 OPS and 14 home runs in 103 games this season. He also has swiped 36 bags.
“He’s turned himself into a good player and a good option,” Baldelli said. “That’s very exciting. He’s a very athletic mover. He can play in the middle of the field and affect the game defensively. He can do a lot of things for you on the bases. He’s going to be a guy that we can definitely find a way to use.”
With center field options Buxton and Manuel Margot on the injured list, Baldelli said Keirsey could find his way out to that position “roaming around and adding some speed and creativity and athleticism.”
To make room on the 40-man roster for him, the Twins transferred Kody Funderburk (oblique) to the 60-day injured list.
Briefly
Zebby Matthews, Bailey Ober and Simeon Woods Richardson are lined up to take the ball during the important series against the Royals. Friday night’s game will be on Apple TV+, while Saturday’s game will air on FOX.
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