Max Kepler’s Minnesota Twins Career is Over

There was a possibility that the Minnesota Twins may get a couple of reinforcements for the final week of the season. No roster move was announced pregame on Tuesday, and now we know Max Kepler’s season is over.

No farewell tour for Minnesota Twins Max Kepler

Max Kepler has been dealing with knee soreness for weeks now. He finally landed on the injured list after hurting the lineup by trying to play through it. After facing live pitching on Monday, it was determined that he will be shutdown, therefore ending his season.

Max Kepler isn’t expected to return in the regular season, Rocco says.

Chris Paddack threw live yesterday and plans to throw again Thursday, with a decision point possible after that.

Justin Topa feels physically ready to return, he says, after his two Saints outings went well.

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 24, 2024

The Minnesota Twins signed Kepler as a teenager out of Germany. He has been with the organization since 2010. Joe Mauer was still a catcher and Target Field was less than a year old. With 1,072 games at the big league level under his belt, Kepler launched 161 home runs with a .237/.318/.429 slash line.

The #MNTwins lineup the last time Max Kepler was not part of the organization:

Denard Span CF
Orlando Hudson 2B
Joe Mauer C
Justin Morneau 1B
Michael Cuddyer 3B
Jason Kubel RF
Delmon Young LF
Nick Punto SS
Carl Pavano P

(6/20/10)

— Ted (@tlschwerz) September 24, 2024

Related: Minnesota Twins Final Stand…?

After a strong 2018 season the Minnesota Twins extended Kepler (and Jorge Polanco). Kepler hit a career-high 36 home runs as a prominent member of the 2019 Bomba Squad. Outside of his resurgence in 2023, that would wind up being the only above-average season offensively.

Max Kepler is on pace for 120 home runs this season#BombaSquad | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/Nq4b9mbY8j

— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) July 25, 2020

At 32 years old, Kepler will hit free agency for the first time. It remains likely someone will give him a one-year deal in order to play right field. He still rated above-average defensively this season posting four outs above average and two fielding run value.

Related: Breakout Starter Named Minnesota Twins’ Minor League POY by Baseball America

The reality is that the suitor won’t be Minnesota, and the two sides will part ways for the first time in over a decade. It has been quite the run.

Pitching help is murky for the Twins as well

Kepler wasn’t the only player trying to return for the Minnesota Twins. Justin Topa, acquired in the Jorge Polanco trade, has yet to appear in a big league game this season. Physically ready to go, Topa has yet to be given clearance by Minnesota. He made a pair of rehab appearances for the Saints, but allowed three runs on a homer in the first outing.

Standing ovation for Chris Paddack. He allowed a leadoff single on his first pitch but quickly struck out the next three.

The stuff looks really good. Fastball up to 99.0 mph, the hardest pitch of his MLB career. pic.twitter.com/mjGQ8Qdszs

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 27, 2023

The Twins bullpen has been in shambles during the second half, and Topa would seemingly provide a boost for Rocco Baldelli. Chris Paddack has been out since July, and he would take a bullpen spot as well. Last season Minnesota inserted Paddack in the pen after he recovered from Tommy John surgery. The results as a starter this year were middling at best.

Minnesota opting against activating either of the pitchers on Tuesday is telling. Waiting until Thursday for another throwing session on Paddack essentially gives him just a single game to make an impact. Realistically it appears that the schedule is just running out.

Related: Minnesota Twins Swap Out Bullpen Pitchers

The Twins have six games left and trail both the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers for a final playoff spot.