Fractured forearm ends Rooker's strong run

MINNEAPOLIS -- Brent Rooker's promising rookie campaign is over, all too soon.

The 25-year-old outfielder sustained a displaced fracture of his right forearm after being hit by a pitch in the fourth inning of Saturday's 8-4 win over Cleveland at Target Field, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli announced after the game. Rooker will likely undergo a procedure to address the injury and was already said to be in a cast by the end of the game.

"We knew when we went out there to check on him on the field that he was not in great shape," Baldelli said. "Obviously, we don’t know the extent of it, but it’s a pretty serious injury. I think long-term, I think a procedure will be able to fix him up well, but a tough break. It was a very tough break."

With Rooker going on the 10-day injured list Sunday, the club reinstated Max Kepler from the IL. Kepler had missed nine games with a left adductor strain.

Rooker doubled to left in his first at-bat before he was struck on the right forearm by an errant 85.5 mph changeup from Zach Plesac. Rooker immediately dropped his bat in discomfort and only made it a handful of steps out of the batter's box before he stopped and doubled over. He left the game after a quick examination from Baldelli and head athletic trainer Michael Salazar.

Ranked the No. 12 prospect in the organization by MLB Pipeline, Rooker was called up for his first stint in the big leagues last Friday, when Kepler hit the 10-day injured list with a left adductor strain.

Rooker was 6-for-19 (.316) in seven games, including a homer and two doubles. He reached base in all seven games and finished his season on a six-game hitting streak, showcasing the advanced bat that the Twins liked when they selected him with the No. 35 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. He struck out five times in 21 plate appearances and hit his first career homer in St. Louis on Wednesday.

"He’s done a fantastic job for us in his time here, contributed in a huge way in only a few games," Baldelli said. "We needed his performances, and he came through for us."