Twins' Alex Kirilloff retires, citing mental, physical toll of injuries

Minnesota Twins first baseman/outfielder Alex Kirilloff is retiring from baseball after four injury-plagued seasons.

Kirilloff, 26, was once considered a top prospect within the Twins' organization. Wrist, shoulder and back injuries limited his playing time.

"During my career, I've encountered numerous injuries, which led me to search for new ways to overcome the pain constantly," Kirilloff wrote in his retirement announcement Thursday on Instagram. "These challenges have taken a toll on me mentally and physically; over time, I've realized that my passion for playing the game has shifted.

"Baseball demands an 'all-in' approach, something I've brought to every season. However, I can no longer give it the total commitment it requires. I've always believed that playing this game requires 110% effort, and anything less would not do justice to my teammates, coaches, fans, or the game itself."

Kirilloff batted .201 with five homers and 20 RBIs, playing in only 57 games in 2024 due to a back injury. He last played on June 11.

He is a career .248 hitter with 27 homers and 116 RBIs in 249 career games with the Twins.

Kirilloff was the No. 15 overall pick of the 2016 MLB amateur draft. He represented the Twins in the 2018 Futures Game.

"There are so many people to thank, and I will personally thank them," Kirilloff said. "Your belief in me made all the difference, and I will be forever grateful. I'd like to thank the Minnesota Twins for giving me an opportunity. The things I was able to experience, I'll be able to take with me the rest of my life.

"As I navigate the recovery process for my current lower back injury, I'm excited to focus more on my family and explore new opportunities. While this next chapter won't take place on the field, my story is far from over."

--Field Level Media