LA Vikes Fan

Stewart to the 60 day IL makes perfect sense. He's at or almost at 60 days now and he's a least a couple of weeks away. Plus, I think he gets a rehab window.

Good question on the 40 man and who is going on the IL to make room on the 26 man? I assume it's Lewis but haven't seen or heard anything. I hope Lee starts tonight at either 2B or 3B and stays in the everyday lineup through the ASB. Let's find out if he has the chops to hit at the MLB level.

One addition to my last post. I would seriously look at Tyler Anderson if we cold get him without trading on of the top 9 prospects. He's a good but inconsistent LH starter on a reasonable contract ($13m a year) with a year and a half to run. His ERA is 3.03 this year, was 5.43 last year, and 2.57 in 2022. Classic crafty lefty, not a power arm, with a pretty good SO to BB ratio. Needs a good defense behind him to be successful, which explains a lot of his inconsistency year to year. Would slot in as a solid #3, very good #4 starter. I think he's worth a top 20 prospect (not in the top 10), plus another guy in the 20-30 range - maybe a package like Cory Lewis, Rosario, or Andrew Morris, plus Yunior Severino or Ben Ross.

A LH middle of the order bat would be nice but there's no where to play anybody without taking away ABs from someone playing pretty well. I guess we could get someone to take Larnach's place but it's hard to see any available LH hitting upgrade in our price range. Luis Rengifo would be a great get and would really fit this roster well, IF he doesn't cost us any of the top 9 prospects. Schobel on down would be ok if we only trade one, not multiples, and I think he'll fetch more than that from somebody else. Besides, we have Lee, then Wallner, in AAA to come up in case of injury or ineffectiveness. Just don't see a need or good reason to trade for a bat unless it's a fair trade not involving the top 9. Hard to see that happening at a trade deadline where the are a lot more buyers than sellers. A bullpen piece would be nice, particularly a LH reliever. Taanner Scott would be great but he will be expensive and is only a rental. Same for Chapman and Diekman, although maybe a little less expensive. More likely that we would target a mid-level guy like Matt Moore, Jalen Beeks, or Andrew Chafin (if Det. would even trade with us). Those last 3 might only cost a solid AA guy, not an elite level prospect. The most likely result IMHO is the Twins do nothing at the trade deadline. I think we roll with what we have in the lineup (plus possibly Lee, Wallner, and/or Keirsey at some point). The price for starting pitching will be waaaay too high, and I just don't see a reliever that helps and that won't cost a fortune other than those last 3. I think there will be a lot of competition for those guys and the price will be beyond what the Twins should pay.

I think the denominator in calculating SO and BB rate is plate appearances, not at bats. He gets "credit" for not striking out when he walks, gets HBP, or hits a sacrifice. He has 233 plate appearances and 64 strikeouts. That's a strike out rate of 27.46%, not 29.8%. So, a little better, but still above the MLB average as you would expect for a power hitter with a .460 SLG, .491 in the last 30 games, .714 in the last 15.

I'm curious as to whom Santana's OPS has changed against RH pitching over time. His OPS is up in May and waaaay up in June compared to April. I suspect but don't know that his OPS against RH pitching is much higher than .715 since May 1 but I can't find that stat anywhere. Does anyone know where that's available? I agree that if his OPS is a consistent .715- .725 against RH pitching we should be looking for a LH hitting 1B/DH since Miranda hits RH pitching well. I guess .715-.725 is better than average this year, average being .700, but you'd still think we can do better at the plate. I think the big Issues are that Santana is a gold glove candidate at 1B, and Miranda definitely is not, and there really isn't any hitter on the roster that could use more ABs against right-handed pitching. Larnach and Kepler basically play every day against RH pitching. There isn't anyone in AAA that's pounding at the door unless you think Brooks Lee is after a relatively small number of at bats. Now maybe Lee or Wallner could hit better at the DH slot against RH pitching but there is a real risk they can't at this point, particularly with Wallner. So, if you basically take out Santana against right-handed pitching you weaken the defense for a very uncertain upside at the plate. Add to that that I think without knowing for sure that his OPS against RH pitching has probably been closer to .750 or higher since May 1 and that hitting upside becomes even more uncertain. The combination of much better defense and improved hitting is why I think that at this point Santana is an everyday player for this team.

Absolutely no need to trade either Santana or Miranda and trading Miranda would be actionable malpractice IMHO. Santana, Maranda, and Louis should occupy the 1B/3B/DH spots five games out of six. There are plenty of ABs for all three. It limits the potential DH ABs for others, but who are those others and why would we want to keep ABs available for them? Jeffers is a good hitting catcher who should play more at that position, but his bat doesn't scream get me in the lineup ahead of any of those three. Margot is a platoon player at best, Larnach can play LF well enough to be out there against RH pitching, Castro has found a home at 2B, and using Martin in a 2 to 3 games a week capacity in the outfield for guys resting is perfect for his development. There's absolutely no reason we need to find more ABs for Farmer or Vasquez, that's for sure. Other than maybe Brooks Lee, there really isn't anyone at AAA good enough that you make a trade to open a spot, and I'm not even sure you do that for Lee. I actually don't think we have to worry about getting a spot for any of the AAA players because this great run of health is not gonna last forever and they'll get a shot at some point. There is no need to make a trade. In fact, making a trade would weaken the team unless we got a frontline starter in return. That is not happening. I think the plan is clear and makes a lot of sense. Santana, Maranda, and Lewis hold down third base, first base, and DH this year. Miranda works hard at being a better defensive 1B because he takes that position over on an everyday basis next season if Santana isn't back or 2026 at the latest. Either Castro or Brooks Lee is the everyday 2B next year with the other the guy that is thrown into the mix to play some 2B, some 3B, some DH, and and occasional day at SS. In modern baseball, you need six "regulars" to hold down the four infield spots plus the DH. That's particularly true for the Twins because we do not have a surplus of good hitting OFs such that we need to keep the DH spot open for one of them. We have the guys for the IF plus DH slots and there's no reason to get rid of any of them.

Agreed. I just don’t think Kepler has a lot of value, not enough to bring in trade someone that will help the Twins this year. More likely a decent but not great AA prospect is the best we can hope for. To get a good reliever for Kepler, probably have to attach a decent prospect like Tanner Schobel. I also agree with the comments that Matt Waller is probably not a great replacement. Frankly, if Kepler went down, I would hope they would give Keirsey the first shot at the position. I just don’t see a Kepler trade making a lot of sense. I don’t think we get much back in return and there isn’t anyone for whom we need to clear a spot. The best argument is trade him to get something before he leaves in free agency, but that kind of leaves me cold since we have a contending team. I would rather keep him and hope this year‘s second half is a reprise of last year’s second half then trade him for the mediocre return we’re likely to receive.

Is there any way you can track guys not on the prospects list who were already on the Twins and might be considered to come back? I know Wallner and Julien are no longer "Prospects" due to their MLB experience but it would be nice to see their stats tracked every day to see if they are making progress towards coming back. Maybe an "Others of Note" listing or something like that? Could also be used for guys playing well but not on the top 20.

I have a slightly different lineup in mind - Castro LF Correa SS Miranda/Lewis 3B/1B/DH (whoever is hotter, right now Miranda) Santana 3B/1B/DH Buxton CF Lewis/Miranda 3B/1B/DH Lee 2B (up for Martin or Larnach, Castro goes to LF) Jeffers C Kepler/Margot platoon RF

Agree on result for at least some of those other players, disagree in whether to and how to bring Lee up. The guys who will lose ABs if you bring Lee up are Trevor Larnach, Manuel Margot, and Austin Martin. Lee will be at least the LH hitting 2B and also play a day a week at SS. Castro becomes the every day LF - he's good out there defensively and deserves to play every day. Miranda, Santana, and Lewis will hold down the 1B/3B/DH spots 5 days out of 6. That leaves only 2 or 3 games a week in either LF when Castro sits, CF when Buxton sits, or RF when Kepler sits, for Martin, Margot, and Larnach, plus maybe one day a week as a DH. Where I disagree is I think that the change might be a net gain and is worth exploring. While the most direct route is to DFA Farmer, he does have some value as a RH IF playing 2 days a week and provides injury depth. Instead, I would like to see the Twins try to trade Larnach or Martin plus a B level minor leaguer for a solid to good reliever and a low level minor league lottery ticket, or even straight up for an good but 30 plus year old reliever on a bad team. I don't think you can get more than that. It's not so risky because if Lee bombs, then Castro goes back to 2B and one of Larnach/Martin. plus Margot and Wallner (up for Lee if he bombs and is demoted) play LF and act as OFs 3 through 5. Larnach or Martin gets a chance to play every day for say Miami, Oakland, or the Angels. If Lee hits, you've lengthened the lineup with a switch hitter who should strengthen the IF defense. So to me, the real question is do you think Lee can provide more offense than one of Larnach or Martin? I think he can. So I think the real issue isn't should we lose Farmer, it's how do we get Lee up and into the lineup. That's something that requires a trade (or demotion) of Larnach or Martin or a DFA of Farmer. Watch, an injury will change all of this - almost did Thursday night. Have to believe that if Correa was out for 4-6 weeks with a fractured wrist, Lee would be up as the everyday SS in his place.

Castro is the biggest and most important surprise. Second biggest and second most important - Jose Miranda. His hitting against RH pitching and consistent RBI production has really helped make up for the poor performances from Julien, Wallner, and the last month or so of Kepler. He should be playing every day and hitting in the 4 or 5 spot.

None of these payers do a lot for me because I don't think they really address the 3 needs we have - a middle of the order LH bat to hit 4 or 5, a #3 or better starter controllable after 2024, and a solid or better LH late inning reliever. Those are the only players worth giving up much prospect capital for IMHO. I really hope the Twins try to see if they have players to fill any of those needs before July 20. I do think that giving Festa a start or 3 and calling up Funderburk was a step in that direction. I just don't think those guys are good enough yet to fill the bill. On the hitter, maybe Kepler goes back to May Kepler instead of June Kepler (April was fine, not great), or maybe Larnach can take the next step up, but the prognosis isn't good for either of those things to happen. I would really like to see Lee and maybe even Wallner get up and get some run at the MLB level before trading decisions are made. Maybe one of them can be that #5 LH hitter behind Castro, Correa, Lewis and Miranda (who should be hitting 4th every day alternating as either the DH, IB or 3B IMO). Find that guy with Santana, Buxton, and Jeffers hitting 6-8 and you have a really deep lineup. My prediction is the Twins either just roll with what they have or make a lower level trade for a LH reliever, The reliever would be someone like Matt Moore of the Angels, Jalen Beeks of Colorado, or maybe Chafin from Detroit but he probably requires an overpay. Detroit will and should deal him out of the division if the offered return is the same. I could also see them trying to get Tyler Anderson from the Angels but I suspect the price is going to be way too high for 1.5 years of a solid to good but not great LH starter. I enjoy the deadline talk but I just don't see the Twins making much of a move this year.

Injuries may do this for us, but I strongly agree that we have to get some exposure at the MLB level to current AAA guys who are going to need to be on the 26 man roster next year. The funny thing is I think that's exactly what's happening. I'm actually encouraged by the fact that Martin is up with the Twins and is actually getting some real playing time since I think he is one of the players will need next year, and the fact that they brought Festa up after bringing Varland up to get one start and one long relief appearance. I think we can agree on two fundamental working assumptions (1) next year's payroll isn't likely to go up much other than already built in raises, and (2) at least Margot and Farmer are likely to be gone, with Santana a wildcard a age 39, and Kepler an unknown. In order to know what we have we need to get Martin, Larnach, Mirnada, Lee, Festa, Varland (starter and in the bullpen), Funderburk, Julien, Wallner, and Kirilloff (coming back from injury) a look. Keirsey might also be worth a look. As much as we all like to complain here, the ironic thing is the FO is actually be giving these guys a fair shot for the most part. On the pitching side, Varlnad has had 5 starts and 1 long relief appearance, Festa is now getting a start that hopefully becomes 2 or 3 (or more), and Funderburk's had numerous opportunities out of the bullpen. On the lineup side, Miranda is rapidly establishing himself as a fixture on the roster, Martin is back for his second trip and is actually hitting well the second time around, and Larnach is getting regular at bats with decent but not great results., Wallner and Julien both got long looks at the front of the season. They both failed and had to be sent back to AAA. Hopefully they'll get another look but it's not like they haven't had an opportunity, they just failed to take advantage of that opportunity so far this year. Kirilloff's injuries have once again derailed our chance to get a good look and the fact that he is hurt again may tell us what we need to know about our ability to rely on him for next year. Lee hasn't had his chance yet but that's because of injury. I personally think he is the next man up pretty much regardless of who goes down because of Castro's positional flexibility. My point here is that I agree that these AAA guys have to have their shot this year. I think it has to be this year because I think we can still compete for a wildcard spot using these young guys and our chances of catching Cleveland this year are not great. The ironic part is I think the FO is doing exactly that; giving all of these guys a fair shot. Maybe my complaints and constant agitation to get people up to the big club is actually misplaced.

That's the question with Wallner. I'd love to see him come up rake like he did last September but it would really hurt if he came up and struck out 50% plus of the time like he did in the playoffs last year and in April this year (he was bad in Spring Training too). His SO rate is over 33% in AAA d so far this year, not good at all, but it has been better lately. We really need to see a SO rate of around 235% or less at AA for an extended period before he's worth the risk IMHO. I think Wallner is probably 2 or 3 more good weeks of hitting away from a call up. Of course, an injury or two could change everything.

I don't think you can say that Wallner is doing better in AAA than Brooks Lee this year unless you limit Wallner's performance to the last three or four weeks and ignore how futile he was before that time. Their year up-to-date stats are: Lee stats - 367/.421/.561 (.982), 14 SOs, 9 BBs, 4 HR's, 20 RBI in 107 plate appearances, 98 ABs. 13.08% SO rate, 8.4% BB rate. Wallner stats - .242/.325/.538 (.863), 86 SOs, 27 BBs, 18 HRs, 49 RBI, in 250 plate appearances, 223 ABs. 34.4% SO rate, 10.8% BB rate. Lee is having a tremendous season at AAA so far, better than Wallner, without any real weaknesses. Wallner has been hitting better lately, which may be the point you're trying to make, but still has an elevated strikeout rate. Combine that with his 51.5% strikeout rate at the MLB level in 2024 and his 31.5% MLB strikeout rate in 2023, and you have a classic boom or bust guy that is hard to play on a regular basis. The guy who strikes out 34% of the time in AAA is likely to approach a 40% strikeout rate in MLB and that just isn't a guy you can play very often. By the way, the statistics don't even count the fact that Lee is a superior fielder. He is a starting AAA SS who you can project to being an above average MLB infielder based on his profile. Wallner is an average at best outfielder with the proviso that he has a very strong arm. Wallner's best argument for coming up instead of Lee when and if we get to a recall point is that he is on the 40 man roster and Lee is not. It doesn't matter that Wallner is an outfielder since Castro can move to the outfield if we bring Lee up as an infielder. The 40 man roster spot is solvable since it appears there is only 39 on the 40 man roster anyway and, if there really is 40, it is easy to move Brock Stewart to the 60 day IL since he's already been out almost 60 days. Besides, Stewart isat least three or four weeks from returning as he is not yet ready to pitch in games and will need a AAA rehab assignment.

MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that Chris Paddack has been placed on the 15 day Injured List. The corresponding transaction is a call up of Ronny Henriquez. With the Monday off day, Ober can start on Thursday in Arizona on regular rest. Boushley and Dobnak would also be on regular rest to start Thursday, while Varland and Festa both pitched "within the last few days" and would not be available to start Thursday. That obviously doesn't mean they couldn't start Ober on Thursday and bring someone up to start Friday or Saturday if they wanted to stretch the rotation a day. My guess is he Henriquez is up because he can be easily sent back down on Thursday or after the Arizona series, and that they will call up a starter for one of the games in Seattle The corresponding move for a starter call up would be either sending Henriquez back to AAA or perhaps putting Thielbar on the IL.

Hard No. Both too old, both too expensive for what they now bring to the table. AND both are likely to cost at least and perhaps two of our top 10 prospects. It's going to be hard to find a starter in trade with Luzardo now out and the prospect cost is going to be very high. Lots of contending teams need/want starting pitching. I would look at Tyler Anderson but I read out here that the Angels are hoping to get a Top 100 prospect or borderline Top 100 plus a good secondary prospect for him because he's pitching well, his salary is affordable ($13m per year), and he is signed through 2025. Their emphasis is on pitching rather than position players. For the Twins, that would be some combination like Festa, Raya, or Soto plus a Luke Keaschall or Tanner Schobel type. A very high price indeed. I doubt if we will be trading for a starter. I really doubt if we will be trading for a rental starter.

First, I only count 39 players on the Twins 40 man not on the 60 day IL (who I understand don't count against the 40 man) - 20 pitchers, 3 catchers, 8 IFs, 8 OFs. That leaves 1 spot open to us any time. If I'm wrong, two ideas on the 40 man. Brock Stewart was put on the 15 day IL on May 3. He could be transferred to the 60 day IL. He is still at least a couple of weeks away and will need a AAA rehab before coming to the Twins. Same for Headrick who has been on the MiLB injured list since March. Either gets you one more spot, both get you two. If Headrick doesn't give you that second spot, there are three options. One is to put Kirilloff on the 60- day IL. I don't know enough about his condition to know if he needs that and he went on the 15 day Il on June 13. That would leave him out until August 12. The second is to give the starts for Paddack to Varland. Have him make the starts and then stay up in the bullpen. Not great for Festa's chance. The third is a trade or DFA candidate. The most obvious are Kyle Farmer, Cole Sands, and Caleb Thielbar. So, I think we already have one spot and it should be pretty easy to get at least one more or even two, albeit for a shorter time, probably through 8/1 for both Headrick and Stewart. My plan only requires a spot for Lee and a spot for Festa, in that order because Varland can take the starts I would rather have go to Festa. IF that isn't enough, time to bite the bullet on Farmer and, much as I hate to say it, Thielbar.

That's probably true, but that's not who he replaces in the lineup. Remember, Castro is as good or better in LF than he is at 2B. Lee comes up and plays 2B. Castro moves to LF 3-4 days a week, a day or 2 a week in CF, and plays 2B when Lee either sits or plays SS so Correa gets a day off. So who loses time? The current platoon/reserve OFs - Larnach, Margot, and Martin. Can Lee play better than those 3? Let's play him and find out. BTW, all of this is a good thought exercise but what is most likely to get Lee his chance is an injury to someone other than a Catcher. With Castro's flexibility, he can be moved as is necessary to get the AAA player with he best chance of success up to the Show. That's Brooks Lee.

I read that in either the Athletic or on MLB at bat when they were talking about how well he's been hitting. I'm at the office now and need to actually do some work but I will look for the link later today.

We are closing in on Trade deadline season, that time when we all can fantasize about trading mid-level prospects for other team's stars. Before we get there though, we need to decide what this team actually needs and evaluate whether there are in-house options that can fill the bill. Trading at the deadline is always high-risk and very expensive in terms of prospects. It always cost more than you think to get another teams solid, mid-level veteran and they're often on expiring contracts making them mere short term rentals. What Do We Need? I think our needs are pretty straightforward. We have a pretty good rotation that lacks backend depth, about 75% of a good bullpen, and about 80% of a strong lineup that could really use another middle of the order bat or leadoff hitter. An addition in each of those areas be great. It would be helpful if the starter was left-handed, the reliever a viable seventh or eighth inning option, and if the hitter could play 2B or corner OF. I say the latter on the assumption that if we could bring up a hitter that can play well at second base, Willi Castro could be an everyday corner OF. He is actually pretty good out there in the field. Who Should We Try In-House? I actually think we may have solutions to all three spots presently on our AAA club. Looking at them from most likely to fill in house to least likely, at least in my view: Let's start with the hitter. Brooks Lee has been tearing up AAA since he came off the injured list - .367/.421/.561 (.982), with 4 HRs, 7 Doubles, and 9 walks against only 14 strikeouts in 107 PAs, 98 ABs. Published reports say that he had basically made the team out of Spring Training before his back seized up so he must've held his own against major league pitching, at least this spring. He could come up and be an everyday 2B and our primary backup SS, with Castro moving to basically an everyday job in LF. We could create space for him by either putting Kepler on the IL to give Lee a try, shutting down Larnach through the ASB so he can actually recover from the turf toe problem, or parting ways with Farmer through a trade or DFA. Also, another injury opens the spot. This run of good health won't last forever. I don't think that Matt Wallner is likely to be the answer, at least not now. He is absolutely hitting better at AAA than he was but he has 86 strikeouts in 250 AAA at bats, an almost 33% strikeout rate at the AAA level. Over the last two seasons he has struck out 97 times in 269 plate appearances at the MLB level, an over 36% rate. I think you have to wait until the strikeout rate goes down in AAA to at least around 25% before you can give Wallner another shot, especially when you remember how bad he was in the playoffs, how bad he was in Spring Training, and how horrendous his line was at the MLB level to start the season (.080/.273/.240 (.513)) before he was sent down. I believe in Wallner as a future solid MLB player but I do not think he is a short-term solution and probably not a solution for this season IMHO. Bullpen help? I think the answer is actually pretty obvious - Louie Varland. I understand why they keep him stretched out at the AAA level as rotation depth. I do think there's a way to do that at the MLB level by having him pitch some long relief like he did last week against Oakland. If the need arises for him to become a starter, you can start with having him as the "bulk" pitcher on the bullpen day and slowly build him back up. At this point, the best we can hope for from him as a starter at the MLB level is a series of 5 or 6 inning starts and his track record this year suggests an ERA over 5. I don't think he's the answer for the rotation help. I know he's trying to learn a changeup so he can be an MLB starter. He can do that in the off-season and next year's spring training so he can help the Twins now. I would call him up now and put him in the bullpen while telling him that they'll stretch him out and give them another chance as a starter next year. Again, putting him on the roster shouldn't be too hard considering how bad Thielbar is pitching which suggests an injury that should result in an IL stint through the ASB. He could also come up and take Cole Sands place. Once again, any sort of injury would provide the opening. How about the rotation? That may be a toughest one of all. I don't think Louie Varland is the answer. Festa might be and Boushley could be the kind of guy who has that one great career year and we catch lightning in a bottle. If either one can come up and give us some innings with an ERA even the 4.5 – 5 range, that would be perfectly okay for a number 5 starter. I just read that even Paddack thinks he needs a break as he comes back from a second TJ surgery. Now is the time. Put Paddack on the 15 day IL through the ASB and call up Festa (my choice) or Boushley. Give him three starts before the ASB and see what you have. Only way to know if we need to trade for a starter. What To Do and When I think we need to try our in-house options before this FO gets fleeced again at the trade deadline for a mediocre veteran or a pitcher with arm trouble. To me, the moves are pretty clear and the time to make those moves is NOW, not two weeks from now, NOW. Let's give ourselves a chance to really evaluate these guys so a month from now we know whether there's any chance that any of our in-house options can work, whether we need to be out in the trade market, or whether we should just decide that this isn't our year to do much more than sneak into the playoffs and get bounced early. In sum, here are the moves to make: Brooks Lee up, either Kepler or Larnach to the IL (or, if possible, a trade of Farmer) Louie Varland up for the bullpen, Thielbar to the 15 day IL David Festa up, Paddack to the 15 day IL I would make the move with Lee today on an off day so he is available in Arizona. I would bring up Festa for Thursday's start place of Paddack, and would Il Thielbar later this week to bring up Varland since Louie just pitched and got blown out yesterday. Varland's probably not available till at least Wednesday or Thursday. The latest I would make these moves is next Monday when we return from this road trip but I think that is too close to the ASB to be helpful. What you guys think of these moves? Are there others that should be made in addition or instead of these? Inquiring minds want to know your thoughts . . .

Agreed on Stevenson, but I think Lee is much different. Reports had Lee making the 26 man roster before his back seized up so there is at least some thought that he can handle big league pitching. I think now or at least soon would be a good time to find out. I was wondering if Kepler had to go on the IL. The Twins can back date an IL stint 3 days so we could put him on the IL back to Saturday and have him back on 7/2 when we get home to play Detroit. I think the IL makes sense if he can't go in this week in AZ. The big issue is we need another bat and a LH would help. Lee is a switch hitter, a little better from the left side so far. He could slot in at 2B with Castro going back to LF - where he's actually pretty good in the field - and a super utility role where he plays 5 days a week. I wouldn't want to bring Lee up unless he was slotted in to play at least 4 days a week. Now would be a good time to find out if he can handle big league pitching while we have time before the trade deadline. The Twins need 3 things to really compete this year - another SP, a back end reliever, and another bat. We need to find out now if we have in-house solutions. Can Lee be that bat? Let's find out.

You can't stay with a guy who is as bad as Thielbar has been, regardless of his past contributions. I would IL him if there is a plausible way to do that. Give him 2-3 weeks of rest AND a rehab stint in AAA to see if he can come back. If not, give him a bobblehead night and a tearful yet joyous send off.

Interesting. I think we could IL Kepler back up to 3 days if he doesn't play. They may be waiting to see how he responds to treatment. My guess is he'll be put on the IL over the weekend retroactive to today. Hopefully Lee up, but it may be Wallner. It might be interesting to se if either player sits for tonight's Saints game.