Return of the Mort

Max Kepler is hurt. He has been for awhile, but last night after the game, Rocco suggested Kep would miss some time. Its now official, the one who Kepls has been placed on the IL, and therefore will miss at least the next ten days.

The Twins’ corresponding move was to bring up catcher Ben Rortvedt, or as we like to call him, Mortimer. The Wisconsin native is seeing his second tour in the western Twin city. Previously, he hit .160/.250/.160 in 12 games. Since being sent down he hit .286/.318/.571 in five games with St. Paul.

While replacing an outfielder with a catcher seems a little odd on the surface, the Twins are freeing up the positional flexibility of Willians Astudillo. La Tortuga can play a competent first base, allowing Alex Kirilloff to focus on the outfield, and in a pinch, Astudillo can also play in the outfield himself—even having an inning at center on his resume.

The Twins entire 40-man list of healthy outfielders consists of Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, Kyle Garlick, and converted utility-man-now-center-fielder Rob Refsynder. Given this lack of depth, more moves could certainly be on the horizon.