Kaelen Culpepper Call-Up on Hold Following Injury Update
For weeks it’s felt like the Minnesota Twins might be on the verge of calling up infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper from St. Paul for his Major League Debut.
They need help at shortstop, and have seemingly shuffled around their big league infield to prepare for just that, moving Brooks Lee to third base and Royce Lewis to the right side, while middling veterans Tristan Gray and Ryan Kreidler act as placeholders.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen any time soon — not after Culpepper exited early from a Saints game last week against the Toledo Mud Hens due to glute tightness.
MN Twins prospect Kaelen Culpepper lands on IL
After some time to assess his injury, (surprise) it’s worse than originally expected. On Tuesday afternoon the Twins placed Culpepper — the No. 36 overall prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline — on the 7-day minor league injured list with a left hip strain.
Twins placed prospect Kaelen Culpepper on the Triple-A injured list with a left hip strain.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) June 16, 2026
So the call-up talk will have to be put on hold for now.
When news of his injury first broke, 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.
Per usual with this organization, Kaelen Culpepper’s 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.
Related: Minnesota Twins Starters Nearing Return
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.
Kaelen Culpepper so far in June:
— Milb Central (@milb_central) June 16, 2026
.368 AVG | 5 XBH | 6 RBI | .467 OBP#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/1487mfE1AX
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’t get best case realities very often around these parts… so Twins fans will brace for the worst…
Meanwhile, Twins still need help at SS
While the Minnesota Twins wait for their future shortstop (hopefully), they’ll continue to rely on Gray and Kreidler at the most important defensive position in baseball, outside of catcher. That’s not ideal.
Gray has been horrendous defensively, while bringing a .254 batting average and .684 OPS to the table offensively. Kreidler has been the better player, all-around, but that’s not the type of player Minnesota can trust him to be for any extended period.
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.
— Ted (@tlschwerz) June 15, 2026
His only purpose was to play strong defense. pic.twitter.com/S3RZYTwZa7
Injuries happen, but MN Twins fans can’t help but be frustrating that the eventual debut of yet another top prospect has been delayed by injury.
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