Alex Kirilloff might be the latest Minnesota Twins player to see his season cut short prematurely.
For the second year in a row, the Twins chose to make minimal moves at the trade deadline, hoping that their injured players would return to form and effectively act as midseason acquisitions. However, much like last season, this plan isn’t panning out as expected.
Minnesota was relying on its recovering players to step up and fill the gaps. Unfortunately, things began to unravel when Brock Stewart’s season ended shortly after the deadline, followed by Justin Topa, a winter acquisition, who suffered a setback during his rehab assignment, making it unlikely he’ll pitch again this year.
Now, it seems Alex Kirilloff is the latest addition to the growing list of sidelined players.
On Saturday, the Twins pulled Kirilloff from his rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints due to a back issue. While no specific timeline for his return has been provided, it’s clear this injury comes at the worst possible moment.
Kirilloff’s stint on the injured list earlier this year raised some eyebrows. After a significant slump at the plate, he was optioned back to Triple-A, but the move was quickly reversed when it was revealed that he had been dealing with an undisclosed back problem. Now, it appears that the same back issue has halted his rehab progress once again.
This setback not only impacts the current season but also raises questions about Kirilloff’s future with the team. Last season, Jose Miranda faced a similar situation, where injuries and underperformance made him appear expendable as he lost his third base role to Royce Lewis. While Miranda managed to turn things around this year, such comebacks are rare, and Kirilloff may not have the same runway.
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The Twins now have to confront the reality of what their future at first base looks like. Ideally, Kirilloff is part of that future, but his recent seasons have been marked by inconsistency and frequent injuries. It’s frustrating because when Kirilloff is at his best, he shows flashes of brilliance, but those moments have been too few and far between.
Kirilloff remains under team control through 2028, making it likely that the Twins will tender him a contract and reach a modest agreement this winter. However, the clock is ticking for him to prove he can stay healthy and perform consistently, or he may find himself facing a tough decision down the road.
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