Free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger enjoyed a career year in 2012, but Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes that the 32-year-old recently suffered a broken right fibula after tripping down a flight of stairs at his home.
Doctors have described the break as "small," and Keppinger has already undergone surgery to repair the leg. He is hoping to be healthy by mid-January and doesn't expect to be limited come Spring Training. Interested parties have begun looking over his medical reports, according to Heyman.
Keppinger batted .325/.367/.439 in 418 plate appearances for the Rays in 2012, and was particularly devastating to left-handed pitchers. He saw extensive time at first base, second base and third base during his time in Tampa Bay and also has significant Major League experience at shortstop, though not since 2008 with the Reds.
This is the second injury to his right side that Keppinger has endured in the past seven months. Back in May, he broke the big toe on his right foot when a foul ball struck him as he sat in the dugout. That injury resulted in more than a month on the disabled list.
Keppinger has been linked to the Yankees and Diamondbacks thus far, and Heyman reports that as many as six other teams are interested as well. Keppinger may still land a multi-year commitment because of a thin infield market, but I think it's fair to assume that his suitors prefer to wait until he's completely healthy to determine what type of offer they'll make.
