Twins place Matt Wallner on IL, recall outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr.
The Twins placed outfielder Matt Wallner on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain on Friday, the team announced. Outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul as a corresponding move.
Wallner will miss the remainder of the regular season, which ends on Sept. 28. Wallner, who missed about six weeks earlier in the year due to a left hamstring strain, had an interesting season. In 104 games, Wallner had a batting average of .202 with only 40 RBIs. However, he still managed to post a 114 wRC+ and hit 22 homers. Wallner will likely still be the Twins' starting right fielder on opening day next season, as he was an overall productive hitter in 2025.
As for Keirsey, the outfielder has mainly been used as a pinch runner and defensive replacement this season. A September callup, Keirsey had zero plate appearances in his recent stint with the Twins that lasted less than a week. Overall, Keirsey has posted -0.8 fWAR and hit .110/.141/.183 for a -16 wRC+ in 85 plate appearances with Minnesota this season.
Twins' Pablo López's season is over after suffering injury
On Saturday, the Twins placed starting pitcher Pablo López on the 15-day injured list with a mild mid-right forearm strain after he left Friday's game in the third inning. Like Wallner, López will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
López, who missed three months earlier in the year due to a muscle strain in the back of his right shoulder, finished the season with a 5-4 record, 2.74 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 75 2/3 innings. López possibly made his final start as a Twin, as he will likely be a trade candidate this winter.
Twins recall pitcher Mick Abel, whom the Twins acquired from the Phillies for Jhoan Durán
As a corresponding move to placing López on the IL, the Twins recalled pitcher Mick Abel. Abel, who was acquired from the Phillies on July 30 along with catching prospect Eduardo Tait in exchange for star closer Jhoan Durán, has struggled in his limited time with the Twins this season, allowing 13 earned runs in eight innings across three appearances. However, he has been dominant in Triple-A St. Paul, posting a 1.85 ERA in 24 1/3 innings.