Bobby

Kielty

Kielty’s righty-lefty splits have only gotten worse. He had an 830 OPS versus southpaws this year and a 560 OPS against right-handers. Even if he does give up switch-hitting, he will only start against lefties at the beginning of next year.

Kielty may not be able to run at full speed for a week or two, but the A’s think he’ll be fine.

Kielty has a .420 on-base percentage and .667 slugging percentage. He would be extremely valuable if he claims the DH job full-time and hits in the third spot. Whether than happens remains to be seen, but Kielty is someone you want to take a chance on.

Kielty is swinging the bat well as the DH, but manager Ron Gardenhire said, ''If Matty [LeCroy] comes back and starts swinging good again, then you are going to have a clash of the DHs. You are going to go by matchups, and [Kielty] is going to lose at-bats. We can’t have everyone DH here.’'

Kielty is considered day-to-day, but he might end up missing the entire week anyway. Dustan Mohr deserves to keep playing in right field while he’s hot, and the DH won’t be available to the Twins this week. They might as well let Kielty rest and get healthy.

LeCroy (793 OPS) and Sears (867 OPS) could comprise a DH platoon, with Sears a lefty and LeCroy a righty, although LeCroy’s value would be hurt quite a bit by being on the bad side of it. Similarly, Kielty (931 OPS) is a switch-hitter, with Mohr (775 OPS) being right-handed. Kielty’s the better player, but for some reason Gardenhire thinks he’s better when he doesn’t play every day. Regardless, it still looks like the Twins have four deserving players to cram into two positions.

Kielty can hit, so DH is a possibility, but Matthew LeCroy has been hot. Dustan Mohr should see the bulk of the action in right field for a while, with Denny Hocking a possibility as well. Kielty should only be used this week if you have no better options.

Kielty had been only allowed to take batting practice from the left side. He could return to Minnesota’s lineup on Monday or Tuesday.

Kielty has a strained left hip flexor. He said he can throw and swing, but he woill not run for a couple of days.

Kielty also likely will bat second initially. He’s worth going to $15 to get in AL-only leagues.