Kepler having MRI on shoulder

[brvama]

Another one goes down and could be serious.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/09/twins-max-kepler-to-undergo-mri-on-monday.html

[howeda7]

IIRC, all started because he ran full speed into the wall in Anaheim in the bottom of the 9th of a game we were winning by 8 or 9 runs. 

[Mike Sixel]

Ugh.

[brvama]

I see this has been mentioned on Stringer's "Injury Updates" may the moderators could move this there.

[nicksaviking]

I think this topic is worthy of its own thread. Kepler going down would be a big blow.

[MNT1996]

Well Pensacola's season is done. I think it's Kirilloff time. 

[brvama]

Just read in the Star that Kepler has been dealing with this for much of the year. It's gotten worse lately and affects his follow-thru while batting.

http://www.startribune.com/season-ending-shoulder-surgery-is-an-option-for-twins-byron-buxton/559782462/

[USAFChief]

Uffda.

[twinkies8791]

Will be shocked if buxton plays in the playoffs and wouldn't surprise me either if we get bad news on Kepler tomorrow or tuesday

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Well Pensacola's season is done. I think it's Kirilloff time. 

You have to wonder. They've been deliberately slow to promote AK, and wanting to keep him on his own timeline. (For example, they wouldn't promote him to AA at the end of last season even though he was healthy and tearing up the Florida league.)

 

But I think they will limp to the end with what they have rather than call up Kirilloff or Larnach. 

[curt1965]

Can the Twins actually bring someone up from the minors now? I realize they would have to be put on the 40 man first, and someone would need to be dropped. But it might save their season.........

[MNT1996]

 

You have to wonder. They've been deliberately slow to promote AK, and wanting to keep him on his own timeline. (For example, they wouldn't promote him to AA at the end of last season even though he was healthy and tearing up the Florida league.)

 

But I think they will limp to the end with what they have rather than call up Kirilloff or Larnach. 

 

You're right about the slow timeline, but I would still bet on Kirilloff getting a callup soon. For two reasons. The first is that he's no longer going to be in the AFL and the second is that he was red hot to finish the season at Pensacola. I think they'll take this opportunity to give the kid some good experience in a pennant race. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Can the Twins actually bring someone up from the minors now? I realize they would have to be put on the 40 man first, and someone would need to be dropped.

Yes, they are allowed to bring someone up from the minors, even now. It would be functionally no different than when they added Graterol and Miller on Sep. 1st -- clear a 40-man spot, and if necessary, petition to replace an injured postseason eligible player (likely Gordon?) once postseason rosters are due.

[notoriousgod71]

Chest discomfort turns into a shoulder injury?

[Han Joelo]

 

Yes, they are allowed to bring someone up from the minors, even now. It would be functionally no different than when they added Graterol and Miller on Sep. 1st -- clear a 40-man spot, and if necessary, petition to replace an injured postseason eligible player (likely Gordon?) once postseason rosters are due.

Maybe this was the plan behind the Lamarre deal--he's a Twin Cities guy, they sign him for a couple days while AK finishes up the playoffs.  AK must have finally clued in to the plan and stopped hitting homers.

[nicksaviking]

I thought Rooker or Wiel would have been added to the 40-man. I suppose only two rehab games in the GCL wasn't going to prepare Rooker enough though. Most years Wiel split his time between 1B and the OF, he hardly got any reps in the OF this year though with all the quality AA and AAA OF in the system.

 

Raley would have been an option as well, but he only had a week in the GCL after missing all summer.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

Easy - if Buxton finds out from this specialist that season ending surgery is the best option, you end his season, put him on the 60 day DL, and add Kiriloff to the 40 man.

[nokomismod]

 

Easy - if Buxton finds out from this specialist that season ending surgery is the best option, you end his season, put him on the 60 day DL, and add Kiriloff to the 40 man.

And who plays CF if Kepler is also out? Wade or Cave?

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

And who plays CF if Kepler is also out? Wade or Cave?

 

Correct - those are your only options at this point, if Cave is even available. Throw Wade in the leadoff spot and hope he can coax a couple walks per game.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

You're right about the slow timeline, but I would still bet on Kirilloff getting a callup soon. For two reasons. The first is that he's no longer going to be in the AFL and the second is that he was red hot to finish the season at Pensacola. I think they'll take this opportunity to give the kid some good experience in a pennant race. 

This would be pretty out of character for this team given that AK isn't even a 40 man requirement next year. Not saying it shouldn't happen. Other than Weil, there's not much for help. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Easy - if Buxton finds out from this specialist that season ending surgery is the best option, you end his season, put him on the 60 day DL, and add Kiriloff to the 40 man.

That would get Kirilloff on the 40-man, but would not make him postseason eligible. And unfortunately, we couldn't petition to replace Buxton on the postseason eligible list then until Buxton spent a full 60 days on the IL.

 

We still have Gordon on the AAA IL who we could petition to replace, but we might have designs on using his spot to make Miller or Graterol eligible.

 

Otherwise, we could instead put Buxton on the 10-day IL so we can petition to replace him, and then find another way to open a 40-man spot (i.e. DFA'ing LaMarre or Diplan).

 

Although I'm guessing the idea of a Kirilloff call-up is unlikely, in any case!

[mickeymental]

 

And who plays CF if Kepler is also out? Wade or Cave?

yes.

[PDX Twin]

Well, we all remember that Sano is a wonderful OF option!

 

[This is sarcasm ... I think.]

[yarnivek1972]

How many shoes are left?

[nokomismod]

If there is a way to get Kirilloff called up if Buxton is indeed shut down for the year, I hope they roll the dice. This season has been such a fun ride, but it doesn't need to end with a fizzle.

[howeda7]

There's no good excuse not to call Kiriloff up. If he's in way over his head, he sits on the bench.

[John Kelsey]

Chicago is doing something very similar right now calling up Nico Hoerner. 

 

He's a top prospect but was drafted just last year and has never played above AA, but they just lost Baez for the year and Russell for who knows how long. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Chicago is doing something very similar right now calling up Nico Hoerner. 

 

He's a top prospect but was drafted just last year and has never played above AA, but they just lost Baez for the year and Russell for who knows how long. 

 

Meh, what do the Cubs know about winning?

[nicksaviking]

I'm all for seeing Kirilloff, but if the Twins need another bat, wouldn't Wiel make more sense? He's been a much better hitter at a higher level this year. Both would be a 'cross-your-fingers' corner outfielder anyway.

[Mike Sixel]

No way they jeopardize what might be a good team (or it might be terrible) in 6 years to call up Kiriloff in a year they know they are contenders. I mean, then they'd have to maybe pay Kiriloff real money a year earlier.