Kepler (back) will start in left field and bat third in Tuesday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Pirates, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Kepler suffered a back injury Sunday, when he collided with the outfield wall while tracking a flyball. Though an immediate timeline for Kepler's return wasn't known after he suffered the injury, he apparently needed just one day of rest to move past the back issue. Kepler is in line to serve as the Phillies' primary left fielder in 2025.
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Phillies' Max Kepler: No timetable for return
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Kepler (back) does not have a timetable for his return to action, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Kepler had to be removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles with a bruised lower back after he collided with the outfield wall while making a catch. He did not play Monday and it sounds like he could miss a few additional days of action. If healthy, Kepler is slated to open the season as the Phillies' primary left fielder.
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Phillies' Max Kepler: Exits game after wall collision
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Kepler (undisclosed) was removed from Sunday's game against the Orioles, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Kepler collided with the wall in left field while making a catch. He was able to jog off the field under his own power but was replaced by Christian Arroyo at the top of the second frame. Kepler's removal from Sunday's game is likely out of precaution, but he'll undergo further testing.
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Phillies' Max Kepler: Back bruise prompts exit
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Kepler was diagnosed with a lower-back contusion after being removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
The 32-year-old suffered the injury when he collided with the wall in left field while making a catch, with the Phillies labeling his exit as a precautionary move. Assuming the injury doesn't linger, Kepler could be back in the lineup after taking a couple days to recover.
Kepler (knee) faced live pitching Sunday and appears to be back to full health for spring training, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
While with the Twins last season, Kepler didn't play after Sept. 1 due to left patellar tendinitis as well as a sore hip, but neither injury is believed to have affected his offseason workouts. After hitting free agency in the winter, Kepler inked a one-year, $10 million deal with the Phillies and is likely to slot in as a strong-side platoon player in the corner outfield. The 31-year-old slashed .253/.302/.380 with eight home runs, 42 RBI and 43 runs over his 105 games with the Twins in 2024.
Phillies' Max Kepler: Lands one-year deal with Philly
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Kepler (knee) agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Phillies on Thursday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Kepler ended last season on the injured list with left knee tendinitis. He's spent most of his career playing right field and has also seen action in center, but he's expected to man left field for the Phillies. He had a .253/.302/.380 slash line with eight homers in just 105 games with the Twins last season as he missed time due to injuries in both his knees. He hit better against lefties last season than righties (.721 OPS vs. LHP) but has been much better against righties during his career. That could lead him to be part of a platoon in left field eventually.
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Twins' Max Kepler: Shut down for season
Rotowire
Kepler (knee/hip) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.
Kepler was expected to be shut down for the remainder of the regular season, and Friday's move not only confirms that but also rules him out for the entirety of the playoffs -- should the Twins come back from three games back and claim a wild-card spot. Kepler was placed on the injured list Sept. 5 due to left knee tendinitis and received a cortisone injection for hip soreness Sept. 17. He should be healthy once spring training rolls around.
Twins' Max Kepler: Likely out through regular season
Rotowire
Manager Rocco Baldelli said Tuesday that Kepler (knee/hip) isn't expected to return from the injured list before the end of the regular season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
The 31-year-old landed on the shelf in early September due to knee tendinitis, and he received a cortisone injection for hip soreness last week. The Twins are currently one game back of the final American League wild-card spot, and it's possible Kepler could return at some point during the playoffs should they punch their ticket and go on an October run.
Kepler (knee) will take live batting practice Monday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
He will then go through a full workout with the Twins on Tuesday before being evaluated for a potential return from the 10-day injured list. Kepler has been shelved since early September with left knee tendinitis but should return this week if he checks out well.
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