Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper exits game after hit by pitch
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 12, 2026, 9:55 PM
Last updated Sep 12, 2026

Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper exited Saturday's game against Cleveland during the third inning after being hit by a pitch. Cleveland pitcher Franco Aleman threw the 95 mph fastball that struck Culpepper in the upper back. The rookie infielder remained on the ground in pain before initially attempting to walk toward first base, but he eventually required removal from the contest. Subsequent X-rays on his right shoulder returned negative results. The team diagnosed the injury as a shoulder contusion and currently lists the shortstop as day to day. Culpepper, who made his major league debut on August 7, has maintained a.286 batting average across 30 games this season.
- •Kaelen Culpepper left Saturday's game against Cleveland in the third inning.
- •A 95 mph fastball from Franco Aleman struck the shortstop in the upper back.
- •Medical staff confirmed negative X-ray results for the shoulder.
- •The team officially diagnosed the injury as a right shoulder contusion.
- •Culpepper is currently considered day to day.
- 9:55 PMYahoo Sports — Twins' Culpepper leaves game after getting hit by pitch; X-rays negative
"Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper left Saturday’s game against Cleveland in the third inning after getting hit by a pitch. A right-handed hitter, Culpepper was hit in the upper back by a 95 mph fastball from Franco Aleman. On the ground and in pain, Culpepper, who was also hit by a pitch in Friday’s loss, was tended to by trainers but got up and slowly started to make his way toward first base.
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