Twins Want to Keep Alex Kirilloff in Minors But He May Not Let Them

Alex Kirilloff is yet to play a game for the Minnesota Twins this season, thanks to the same wrist injury he’s been dealing with and having surgeries on for the better part of his entire MLB career to this point.

Twins plan to keep Alex Kirilloff in minors after rehab assignment

But last weekend, Kirilloff started a minor league rehab assignment at single-A Fort Myers, in his latest attempt to get back to the big leagues. Then last week, he was promoted to triple-A Saint Paul, seemingly one phone call away from joining his teammates across the river.

Not so fast, however. Multiple reports have come out over the last few days, saying that the Twins were planning to option Kirilloff to keep him in St. Paul, even when his rehab assignment came to a completion.

However, multiple team sources indicated Friday that the Twins may decide to option Kirilloff to St. Paul once his rehab assignment is over, an approach they also took in the middle of last season. To do so again would mean the 25-year-old former top prospect has been deemed healthy, but questions remain about his readiness to step back into a big-league lineup after so much missed time.

Aaron Gleeman – The Athletic

Kirilloff dominating minor league competition

But don’t tell Alex Kirilloff that he isn’t ready to get back into the Minnesota Twins’ everyday lineup. He’s hitting .360 with a 1.260 OPS in 8 minor league games since starting his rehab assignment. In his 4 games with the Saints, he’s hitting .462 with a 1.588 OPS. On Sunday, he put on a show, going 2 for 4 with two home runs and 5 RBI.

It's a Kirilloff blast off!

The @Twins outfielder clears the fences in a rehab game with the @StPaulSaints. pic.twitter.com/Wuum7fT2KQ

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 23, 2023

One is just simply not enough… Kirilloff with a 3-Run @ticasino Home Run!

That makes ✨two✨ helpings of $500 for Minnesota D.A.R.E. by way of Kirilloff's bat tonight pic.twitter.com/wRPUKuloA1

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) April 23, 2023

If Alex Kirilloff is healthy and feeling good, which he clearly seems to be, then the Twins need to get him back in the lineup ASAP. Their offense has been struggling most of the season and a good Kirilloff brings a consistent middle of the order bat that they desperately need.

I’m not sure if they are hesitating on Kirilloff’s call up for his own good or because they do not want to DFA Max Kepler. But no matter the reason, it’s no surprise that Alex could upend those plans. There isn’t a more pure hitter or sweeter swing on this roster than what Alex Kirilloff has.

We’ll see how this plays out. The Twins welcome the New York Yankees to Target Field on Monday night, for the first of three games.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Twins