Twins rookie second baseman Luke Keaschall will miss the final five games of the regular season with a left thumb injury, manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.
Keaschall exited Tuesday night’s 4-1 victory over the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning because of the injury. He injured it on a headfirst slide in the second inning, shaking his hand afterward.
When Keaschall batted again in the third inning, with runners on the corners, he offered two sacrifice bunt attempts.
Keaschall will visit a hand specialist next week, Baldelli told reporters, and he’s likely to have thumb surgery.
Keaschall, 23, was limited to 49 games during his rookie season. He was sidelined for three months after he was hit by a pitch that broke his right forearm. Keaschall underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last year, too.
He’s a lock to be a major part of the Twins roster next year, though the Twins could explore playing him in the outfield, where he spent some time in the minor leagues or first base.
A second-round pick in 2023, Keaschall immediately proved himself as one of the club’s best hitters, batting .302 with 14 doubles, four homers and 28 RBI. He stole 14 bases in 17 attempts, posting a .382 on-base percentage.
Festa avoids surgery
David Festa, after consulting with a vascular surgeon in Dallas on Wednesday, is scheduled to receive Botox injections Thursday to alleviate a compressed nerve between his right shoulder and neck.
