Alex Kirilloff: Announces retirement from baseball
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Kirilloff announced his retirement from professional baseball Thursday.
In a post on his Instagram account, Kirilloff wrote that the numerous injuries he's dealt with "have taken a toll on me mentally and physically" and he feels he's no longer able to give baseball "the total commitment it requires." Kirilloff, who turns 27 next week, is currently rehabbing a lower-back injury and has also had two wrist surgeries and back surgery. He slashed .248/.309/.412 with 27 home runs over 249 games covering parts of four seasons with the Twins.
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Twins' Alex Kirilloff: Pulled off rehab assignment
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Kirilloff was removed from his rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday due to a flareup of soreness in his back, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Kirilloff started up the rehab assignment Friday but lasted just one game before succumbing to another setback. The 26-year-old was placed on the injured list in June due to a back strain and nerve-related issues, and he was also briefly slowed by an ankle sprain earlier this month before starting up the rehab assignment. Even if Kirilloff's setback proves to be just a minor concern, he shouldn't be expected to return from the 60-day injured list until at least September.
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Twins' Alex Kirilloff: Kicks off rehab assignment
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Kirilloff (back) will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Kirilloff was slated to begin his assignment earlier this week but suffered a sprained ankle while doing drills. However, the 26-year-old is over the ankle issue and has been cleared to play in games. Kirilloff has been on the shelf since mid-June due to back soreness and nerve issues.
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Twins' Alex Kirilloff: Close to rehab assignment
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Kirilloff (back) was ready to go on a rehab assignment this week but suffered a sprained ankle while doing drills, Phil Miller of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. He could begin a rehab assignment in the next week.
Kirilloff has been on the injured list since mid-June due a back injury and nerve issue. The good news is it sounds like his back is finally healthy, but the bad news is the delay in his rehab could push his return well into September.
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Twins' Alex Kirilloff: Shifts to 60-day IL
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The Twins transferred Kirilloff (back) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old now won't be eligible to be reinstated until mid-August, but he wasn't likely to return within the next couple weeks regardless given the lack of recent updates in his rehab program. If not for the back strain, Kirilloff was set to be demoted to Triple-A St. Paul due to his .654 OPS this season, so the Twins will likely send him on a lengthy rehab assignment once he's game ready in an attempt to get him back on track.
Twins' Alex Kirilloff: Received cortisone shot for back
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Kirilloff (back) received a cortisone shot after he went on the 10-day injured list in June because of a back strain, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "I'm feeling a little bit better now," Kirilloff said. "Hopefully, just plugging along and able to get back to swinging really soon."
Kirilloff hasn't started baseball activities yet, however, so there's not a clear timetable for his return. He's been focusing on core stabilization exercises. He was placed on the 10-day injured list in mid-June due to a back strain.
Kirilloff's option to Triple-A St. Paul was rescinded Tuesday, as the Twins placed him on the 10-day injured list due to back soreness and nerve issues, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
The demotion was initially reported after Wednesday's win against the Rockies, but Kirilloff is instead back with the big club as the injury is evaluated. The 26-year-old underwent an MRI in late May, but he apparently didn't communicate how troublesome the injury had become as he attempted to play through it. It's unclear how long Kirilloff is expected to be sidelined, but the Twins could plan out a lengthy rehab assignment given his .654 OPS and career-worst 26.4 percent strikeout rate this year.
The Twins optioned Kirilloff to Triple-A St. Paul after Wednesday's 17-9 win over the Rockies, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Kirilloff will head to Triple-A in order to get back on track after going 2-for-21 with nine strikeouts since the beginning of June, bringing his season slash line down to .201/.270/.384 through 178 plate appearances. The Twins have not yet announced a corresponding move for Kirilloff's demotion, but his absence will likely result in more time in left field for Trevor Larnach and more time at first base for Carlos Santana.
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Twins' Alex Kirilloff: Sitting versus lefty
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Kirilloff is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.
The lefty-hitting Kirilloff will begin the contest on the bench as the Rockies send southpaw Austin Gomber to the hill. The Twins will use Carlos Santana at first base in Kirilloff's stead.
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Twins' Alex Kirilloff: Out against right-hander
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Kirilloff is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Pittsburgh.
Right-hander Mitch Keller will be toeing the slab for the Pirates, but the left-handed hitting Kirilloff nonetheless finds himself beginning this one on the bench. Trevor Larnach is in left field and Jose Miranda will be the designated hitter for the Twins.
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Twins' Alex Kirilloff: Sitting against lefty
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Kirilloff isn't in the Twins' lineup Wednesday against the Yankees.
With left-hander Carlos Rodon set to take the mound for New York, Kirilloff will retreat into the dugout Wednesday. Willi Castro will move to right field as a result, allowing Kyle Farmer to start at second base while batting ninth.
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Twins' Alex Kirilloff: On bench versus lefty
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Kirilloff is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus the Astros.
Kirilloff will take a seat as the Twins face off against left-hander Framber Valdez. Carlos Santana will take over at first base and bat eighth against Houston.
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Twins' Alex Kirilloff: Heads to bench Thursday
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Kirilloff is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.
With Thursday's contest being a day game after a night game, manager Rocco Baldelli will give rest to several key regulars. Along with Kirilloff, Edouard Julien, Max Kepler and Trevor Larnach will rest as the Twins open up room in the lineup for reserves Carlos Santana, Kyle Farmer, Manuel Margot and Christian Vazquez.
