Twins closer Glen Perkins out indefinitely due to back spasms

Twins closer Glen Perkins will be sidelined indefinitely with back spasms, with Kevin Jepsen taking over ninth-inning duties in his stead.

Minnesota Twins closer Glen Perkins will miss the team's upcoming road trip to Houston due to back spasms, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune's LaVelle E. Neal III, who reported that Perkins “couldn’t get out of bed” on Wednesday and could barely walk on Thursday.

Perkins, 32, is 32-for-34 in save opportunities for the Twins—his third straight year with 30-plus saves—and has an ERA of 2.68 in 50 1/3 innings, striking out 46. Earlier this season, he was named to the 2015 American League All-Star team, his third straight Midsummer Classic selection.

Kevin Jepsen, who was acquired at the July 31 trade deadline from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor leaguers Chih-Wei Hu and Alexis Tapia, is expected to fill in for Perkins as the team's closer.

At 69–63 on the season heading into Thursday's game against the Chicago White Sox, the Twins sit one game behind the Texas Rangers (70–62) for second place in the AL wild-card standings.

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- Christopher Chavez