Kaelen Culpepper has four hits in win Monday

This will almost assuredly end Culpepper’s season since the MLB season ends just over 10 days from now. This is also his third trip to the injured list this season, if we include minor league stints; however, he doesn’t have a long track record of injuries. The 23-year-old hit .275/.333/.404 with three home runs, 15 runs scored, and 11 RBI in 31 MLB games. He should be the team’s starting shortstop next season.

Culpepper tweaked his hamstring while trying to beat out a double play in the sixth inning. He finished 0-for-3 at the plate. It sounds like a precautionary exit, but he’ll presumably undergo imaging to determine the severity of the issue. He was back in the lineup after missing two games earlier this week with a shoulder contusion. There should be an update on his status prior to Wednesday’s series finale.

Culpepper is back at shortstop and hitting second following a relatively brief two-game absence due to a right shoulder contusion after being hit by a pitch over the weekend. The 23-year-old top prospect has delivered a strong .283 (30-for-106) batting average with three homers, 11 RBI and one steal in 30 games since ascending to the majors last month.

Culpepper is out of the lineup for a second straight game after suffering a right shoulder contusion when he was hit by a pitch over the weekend. The positive news is that he was able to go through a full pregame workout without any issues and is available off the bench, if needed. The 23-year-old top prospect has hit a robust .283 (30-for-106) with three homers, 11 RBI and one steal in 30 games since ascending to the majors last month. It’ll be Ryan Kreidler getting the nod at shortstop on Monday night.

The 23-year-old shortstop was pulled from Saturday’s game after being hit in the right shoulder by a pitch. He’s still feeling a bit sore on Sunday so he’ll get an extra day to rest before returning to the lineup. Ryan Kreidler will start in his place and will bat ninth against Guardians’ right-hander Tanner Bibee on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.

X-rays were negative after he was hit by a Franco Aleman fastball. Ryan Kreidler figures to start if Culpepper can’t play Sunday.

Franco Aleman got him in the upper back with a 95-mph fastball. Culpepper wanted to continue, but he couldn’t make it happen. Ryan Kreidler ran for him and remained in the game at shortstop.

As the Twins’ season has spiraled over the last month, they may have found something special with Culpepper. Getting the nod in the two-hole for the second time this week, he momentarily had a huge hit with a two-out, game-tying single off Hunter Gaddis in the seventh inning. The Twins bullpen promptly gave the game right back, but Culpepper has been impressive thus far as a big leaguer with a .286 batting average, .758 OPS, and three home runs in 29 games.

It’s the first time that Culpepper has batted higher than sixth in Minnesota’s lineup since being promoted to the majors back on August 7. The 24-year-old rookie has been outstanding in his first taste of the big leagues, hitting .301 (25-for-83) with three homers, nine RBI and one steal in 23 games. It would be nice from a fantasy perspective to see Culpepper running a bit more, but it’s hard to complain with his all-around impact so far.

It feels like only a matter of time before Culpepper gets a look towards the top of Minnesota’s intriguing lineup. He won’t supplant Luke Keaschall in the leadoff spot, but he might make more sense than Brooks Lee in the second spot while Byron Buxton (hip) is out. The 24-year-old top prospect has lived up to fantasy managers’ lofty expectations so far. He hasn’t stolen any bases, which is a surprise, but he’s hitting .313 (21-for-67) with three homers in 19 games since being called up a few weeks ago.