MILWAUKEE, WI – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have selected the contract of infielder Kaelen Culpepper from Triple-A St. Paul.
Culpepper, 23, has hit .271 (80-for-295) with 15 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, 46 RBI, 39 walks, 63 runs scored, 17 stolen bases (20 attempts) and an .845 OPS in 74 games for the Saints this season. Over his last 25 games, since May 30, he has hit .326 (31-for-95) with six doubles, two triples, two home runs, nine RBI, 21 runs scored, 11 walks, a .413 on-base percentage and a .908 OPS. On the season, he is tied for third among all Twins minor leaguers in runs scored and ranks eighth in slugging percentage (.478). Defensively at St. Paul, Culpepper has played in 51 games (all starts) at shortstop, nine games (all starts) at third base, and four games (all starts) at second base. The Memphis, Tennessee native was selected by Minnesota in the first round (21st overall) of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft out of Kansas State University and is currently ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Twins’ system, per MLB.com. He entered the 2026 season ranked as baseball’s No. 52 prospect by MLB.com, No. 71 by Baseball Prospectus and No. 74 by Baseball America. Culpepper will be in uniform for tonight’s game in Milwaukee, wearing uniform number 12 and looking to make his major league debut.
Additionally, the Twins have placed right-handed pitcher Joe Ryan on the 15-day Injured List (retroactive to August 5) with a left glute strain. Ryan has made 23 starts for the Twins this season, going 6-8 with a 3.65 ERA (125.2 IP, 51 ER), 27 walks, 138 strikeouts and a .239 opponent batting average. The two-time All-Star leads the Twins in games started and is tied for the team lead with 11 quality starts, while ranking second in strikeouts and innings pitched.
To make room for Culpepper on the 26-man roster, the Twins have optioned infielder Tristan Gray to the Saints. Gray was most recently recalled on July 29 and went 0-for-5 with one walk in three games during his most recent stint with Minnesota.
To replace Ryan on the 26-man roster, the Twins have recalled right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews from Triple-A St. Paul. Matthews, who was optioned on August 1, has made 14 starts for Minnesota this season, going 4-8 with a 5.22 ERA (81.0 IP, 47 ER), 26 walks, 69 strikeouts and a .259 opponent batting average. He is scheduled to make the start tonight in Milwaukee against the Brewers.
To make room for Culpepper on the 40-man roster, the Twins have designated right-handed pitcher Taylor Rashi for release or assignment. Rashi was acquired from Arizona in exchange for cash considerations on June 8 and went 2-0 with a 4.76 ERA (17.0 IP, 9 ER), nine walks and 23 strikeouts in 15 appearances for the Saints.