Kepler, Twins relieved day after neck injury

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins received good news on rookie outfielder Max Kepler, who suffered a mild neck strain in Thursday’s game against the Tigers but could return to the lineup as early as Saturday.

Kepler, who was injured running into the wall trying to track down a double hit to the right-field corner, was held out of the lineup in the series opener against the Mariners on Friday, but said he had been cleared to play.

“After the game, I thought it was going to be a lot worse today,” Kepler said. “But I guess I treated it the right way. It was a little stiff but it loosened up.”

Twins manager Paul Molitor checked in with Kepler when he got to the park, and was pleased to hear that the injury isn’t serious, especially with Minnesota’s lack of outfield depth after Danny Santana and Eddie Rosario went down with season-ending injuries.

“The trainers told me he’s doing fine and …

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