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Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
For weeks it\u2019s felt like the Minnesota Twins might be on the verge of calling up infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper<\/a> from St. Paul for his Major League Debut.<\/p>\n They need help at shortstop, and have seemingly shuffled around their big league infield to prepare for just that, moving Brooks Lee<\/a> to third base and Royce Lewis<\/a> to the right side, while middling veterans Tristan Gray<\/a> and Ryan Kreidler<\/a> act as placeholders.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, that doesn\u2019t look like it\u2019s going to happen any time soon \u2014 not after Culpepper exited early from a Saints game last week against the Toledo Mud Hens due to glute tightness<\/a>.<\/p>\n MN Twins prospect Kaelen Culpepper lands on IL<\/p>\n After some time to assess his injury, (surprise) it\u2019s worse than originally expected. On Tuesday afternoon the Twins placed Culpepper \u2014 the No. 36 overall prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline<\/a> \u2014 on the 7-day minor league injured list with a left hip strain.<\/p>\n Twins placed prospect Kaelen Culpepper on the Triple-A injured list with a left hip strain.<\/p>\n So the call-up talk will have to be put on hold for now.<\/p>\n \u2014 Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) June 16, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n When news of his injury first broke<\/a>, the Minnesota Twins thought Kaelen Culpepper would only need a day or three to get right. The Saints were off on Monday, but by Tuesday afternoon, he was officially placed on the injured list.<\/p>\n Per usual with this organization, Kaelen Culpepper\u2019s injury comes at the worst possible time. The 23-year-old former first round pick, has been on an incredible run the past six weeks.<\/p>\n Related: Minnesota Twins Starters Nearing Return<\/a><\/p>\n After batting .280 with a .947 OPS in the month of May, Culpepper pushed those numbers up to .381\/1.098 in 45 plate appearances this month, prior to landing on the IL. On the season down at St. paul, the 2024 No. 18 overall draft pick is hitting .273 with an .875 OPS<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kaelen Culpepper so far in June:<\/p>\n .368 AVG | 5 XBH | 6 RBI | .467 OBP#MNTwins<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/1487mfE1AX<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Milb Central (@milb_central) June 16, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n Culpepper has to miss at least seven days. There is no backdating his time on the minor league injured list, like you can in the majors. Best case scenario, Culpepper returns to St. paul next week. However, we don\u2019t get best case realities very often around these parts\u2026 so Twins fans will brace for the worst\u2026<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Twins still need help at SS<\/p>\n While the Minnesota Twins wait for their future shortstop (hopefully), they\u2019ll continue to rely on Gray and Kreidler at the most important defensive position in baseball, outside of catcher. That\u2019s not ideal.<\/p>\n Gray has been horrendous defensively, while bringing a .254 batting average and .684 OPS<\/a> to the table offensively. Kreidler has been the better player, all-around, but that\u2019s not the type of player Minnesota can trust him to be for any extended period.<\/p>\n Tristan Gray, who the Twins opted to keep on the roster rather than Orlando Arcia, has been worth -7 DRS -7 OAA and -6 FRV at SS.<\/p>\n His only purpose was to play strong defense. pic.twitter.com\/S3RZYTwZa7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ted (@tlschwerz) June 15, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n Injuries happen, but MN Twins fans can\u2019t help but be frustrating that the eventual debut of yet another top prospect has been delayed by injury.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Injury Updates<\/a> Kaelen Culpepper<\/a> St. Paul Saints<\/a> <\/p>\n More About:Minnesota Twins<\/a><\/p>\n Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google. \t\t\t![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/google_preferred_source_badge.png\"){kind=icon}
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