MINNEAPOLIS -- Less than 24 hours after Luke Keaschall suffered a nondisplaced fracture of his right forearm, the Twins acquired utility man Kody Clemens from the Phillies in exchange for cash considerations on Saturday morning.
Clemens, who is the son of Roger Clemens, was designated for assignment by Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 28-year-old, who batted .327 during Spring Training to claim one of the final spots on the Phillies' Opening Day roster, appeared in just seven of the Phillies' 26 games this season. He was 0-for-6 with a walk in those appearances, all of which came off the bench.
Clemens arrived at Target Field approximately two hours ahead of the Twins¡¯ game against the Angels on Saturday, and he was quickly ushered into Rocco Baldelli¡¯s office to meet his new manager.
TRADE DETAILS
Twins get: INF/OF Kody Clemens
Phillies get: Cash considerations
¡°He just told me to get all my reps in at first and second [base], and be prepared for that,¡± Clemens said of his conversation with Baldelli. ¡°He knows I¡¯ve played third base and some corner outfield, so kind of emergency scenarios in the outfield. But yeah, he just said he was super excited and happy that I¡¯m here.¡±
The Texas native was selected by Detroit in the third round of the 2018 Draft out of the University of Texas at Austin, and he has hit .197 with 20 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, 22 walks, 45 runs scored and a .611 OPS in 157 career big league games for the Tigers (2022) and Phillies (2023-25).
Clemens has primarily played first base, third base and second base over his career, but he's also made six starts in left field and one in right field, plus one appearance at shortstop. Clemens was active for Saturday's game, wearing No. 18.
¡°I¡¯ve seen Kody play a little bit over the years,¡± Baldelli said. ¡°I think we¡¯re getting a good left-handed bat and a guy that¡¯s a versatile defender. We actually have him as a good second baseman defensively, a guy that can play first base pretty easily. He¡¯s played a decent amount of first base and can also help us, if needed, at third or in the corners in the outfield.¡±
Keaschal, who was placed on the 10-day injured list, began the year with Triple-A St. Paul, but the Twins selected the contract of their No. 3 prospect and the No. 57 overall prospect last Friday when they started a series in Atlanta. By the time they came back to Minnesota, Keaschall was hitting in the three-hole and had established himself as one of the team¡¯s top hitters.
¡°I was a little angry, but I¡¯ve got to try and think of the big picture,¡± Keaschall said of his injury. ¡°Think about getting healthy as fast as possible.¡±