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Free-agent infielder Jeff Keppinger broke his leg falling down some stairs in his home recently, and required minor surgery to repair, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:
As timing goes, Jeff Keppinger's could not have been much worse.
Primed to capitalize on a breakout 2012 season in which he hit a career-high .325, the free agent infielder recently suffered a break in his right fibula tripping down some stairs at his house. The break, described as a small one in the calf by major-league sources, has been repaired surgically.
He is at home recuperating.
The 32-year-old utility player hopes to be ready by mid-January, according to Heyman’s sources, but if not will definitely be healthy by the start of spring training.
In any other year, Keppinger’s injury would likely damage his chances of getting a decent deal. But with such a thin free-agent market for infielders – and Maicer Izturis already off the table – Keppinger should still get his due.
After a disappointing stint with the Giants in the second-half of 2011, Keppinger bounced back this past season manning third, first and second for the Tampa Bay Rays. The defensive jack of all trades cobbled together his best season with the bat, hitting .325/.367/.439 with nine home runs in 115 games.
