The Minnesota Twins are facing early-season injury concerns with right fielder Max Kepler. Kepler had to leave the Opening Day game against the Kansas City Royals after hitting a pitch foul off his knee in the eighth inning. While there’s no fracture, he’s still experiencing pain that hampers his ability to run, despite being cleared from a medical standpoint.
Twins president Derek Falvey indicated that Kepler might need more time to heal, suggesting the possibility of him being placed on the 10-day Injured List. Rushing his return seems unwise given the long baseball season ahead.
Kepler’s potential absence could be a significant loss for the Twins. His consistent performance at the plate, with a minimum of 2.0 WAR in full seasons, and his power hitting make him a valuable asset. However, the Twins have viable options to fill his spot if necessary.
In conclusion, while the injury is not as severe as initially feared, it’s uncertain how long Kepler will be sidelined. The Twins will need to carefully manage his recovery to ensure he’s back to full strength when he returns to the field.
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