Top SS prospect Kaelen Culpepper reinstated from Triple-A injured list
Culpepper returned to the Saints' lineup as the designated hitter on Sunday after being on the IL since June 16 due to a left hip strain. He went 0-for-4 at the plate on Sunday as the Saints lost to Louisville 3-0.
Before landing on the IL, Culpepper, 23, had a slash line of .273/.377/.498 (124 wRC+) with 14 home runs, 43 RBI and 15 stolen bases over 61 games for Triple-A St. Paul this season. If he hadn't suffered his injury, it's possible he would've been called up instead of Kyler Fedko earlier in the month.
After having poor production at shortstop for most of the year, the Twins have found a hidden gem in Ryan Kreidler, who has proved he deserves to be the club's starting shortstop for now. In 101 plate appearances this year, Kreidler is hitting .290/.365/.527 with five home runs and 21 RBI. Over 108 1/3 innings at shortstop, Kreidler has recorded +1 Defensive Run Saved and +1 Out Above Average. Since the Twins seem fine at shortstop for now, there's no need to rush Culpepper up after his injury. One interesting development is that Luke Keaschall has been getting more playing time in the outfield, so maybe the club is planning for Culpepper to play second, not shortstop, in the majors.
RHP Bailey Ober makes rehab start with High-A Cedar Rapids
Ober, who has been on the IL since May 31 with a right flexor strain in his elbow, made his first start of a rehab assignment with High-A Cedar Rapids on Sunday, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and zero walks over 3 1/3 innings. He threw 57 pitches and collected just one strikeout in the outing.
With Mick Abel set to be out longer than previously expected, the Twins desperately need Ober back. Minnesota is without a true five-man rotation at the moment, as the team has been relying on right-hander Mike Paredes as the bulk pitcher in bullpen games in place of Ober.
In 4 2/3 innings against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on May 30, Ober allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 12 hits and one walk. But since he landed on the IL the next day, it seems likely he was dealing with the injury during the start. Before the rough outing, Ober had a 3.92 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 17 walks in 62 innings across 11 starts.
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