As the July 31 MLB Trade Deadline nears, the Twins appear to be in a spot to sell rather than buy.

In order for that to change, Minnesota needs its No. 3 prospect, Luke Keaschall, to return from the injured list as soon as possible and play like he did in his limited action at the major league level this year.

Twins desperately need Luke Keaschall to return from IL as trade deadline nears

The Twins placed Keaschall, 22, on the 10-day IL after he suffered a broken right forearm following getting hit by a pitch from Angels starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks on April 25.

Minnesota later moved Keaschall to the 60-day IL. It’s publicly unknown when Keaschall will return from the injured list, but he will be eligible to be reinstated at the end of this month.

Hopefully for Minnesota, Keaschall will be playing major league baseball games in late June or early July.

With Royce Lewis sidelined amid inconsistencies from the Twins’ lineup, Minnesota needs Keaschall, who posted a .368/.538/.526 slash line with five stolen bases in 26 plate appearances with the Twins this season, to return more than ever.

When he returns, assuming there are not any more injuries, Keaschall would most likely take Jonah Bride or DaShawn Keirsey Jr.’s spot on the 26-man roster.

Keaschall, who is the 49th best prospect in the league per MLB Pipeline, hit .303/.420/.483 with 15 home runs in 103 games in Double-A and Triple-A last year while dealing with a torn elbow ligament before undergoing Tommy John surgery in August.

Minnesota promoted him to the major leagues on April 18 after just 14 games in Triple-A this season due to Matt Wallner landing on the injured list.

Twins set to play Game 2 against Seattle Mariners

Game 2 of the four-game series between the Minnesota Twins and Seattle Mariners is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CT on Tuesday at Target Field.

Chris Paddack is expected to make the start on the mound for the Twins, and Luis Castillo is scheduled to start for the Mariners.