Max Kepler to undergo MRI after leaving game with leg tightness
Not only did the Twins fall 7-3 to the Royals on Saturday, but Max Kepler left the game in the fourth inning with a leg issue and Gary Sanchez also left early and required an IV in the locker room to deal with a heat-related illness.
Sanchez isn't expected to be any worse for wear, but Kepler is expected to get an MRI to learn more about the quadriceps tightness he that knocked him out of the game.
"It could go either way with Kep right now," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said when asked if Kepler could wind up on the injured list. "It's something he's been playing through for a little while now."
If Kepler misses time, it could open the door for Trevor Larnach or Kyle Garlick to get more outfield work, or force the Twins to bring up someone from Triple-A St. Paul. That's especially true since outfielder Gilberto Celestino has entered COVID-19 protocols, meaning he's out for an undetermined amount of time.
It's worth noting that Twins top prospect Royce Lewis played left field (and had an outfield assist) for the St. Paul Saints Saturday night. Could Lewis be on his way back up to the big leagues if Kepler requires a stint on the IL?
The Twins face the Royals at 1:10 p.m. Sunday, with a good pitching matchup on tap as Sonny Gray goes for Minnesota against KC's Zack Greinke.
Title: Bring Me The Sports co-owner, editor Email: joe@bringmethenews.com Twitter: @JoeBMTN Education: Southwest Minnesota State University Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Expertise: All things Minnesota sports Nelson has covered Minnesota sports for two decades, starting his media career in sports radio. He worked at small market Minnesota stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before joining one of the nation's highest-rated sports stations, KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. There, he was the producer of the top-rated mid-morning sports show with Minnesota Vikings announcer Paul Allen. His radio experience helped blossom a career as a sports writer, joining Minneapolis-based Bring Me The News in 2011. Nelson and Adam Uren became co-owners of Bring Me The News in 2018 and have since more than tripled the site's traffic and launched Bring Me The Sports in cooperation with the Sports Illustrated/FanNation umbrella. Nelson has covered the Super Bowl and numerous training camps, NFL combines, the MLB All-Star Game and Minnesota playoff games, in addition to the day-to-day happenings on and off the field of play. Nelson also has extensive knowledge of non-sports subjects, including news and weather. He works closely with Bring Me The News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard to produce a bevy of weather and climate information for Minnesota readers. Nelson helped launch and manage the Bring Me The News Radio Network, which provided more than 50 radio stations around Minnesota with daily news, sports and weather reports from 2011-17.