Twins' Zebby Matthews: Throws live batting practice
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Matthews (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
It's the first time Matthews has faced hitters since he was diagnosed in early June with a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder. If he bounces back well from Tuesday's session, Matthews could be cleared for a rehab assignment. Given that he hasn't pitched in more than a month, the 25-year-old is sure to require at least a couple rehab starts before the Twins consider putting him back into their rotation.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Set for another bullpen session
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Matthews (shoulder) is set to throw a third bullpen session Sunday and could face live hitters next week, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Matthews could be set to begin a rehab assignment in a week or so if all goes well. He's been on the shelf since June 8 due to a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder. Matthews could be ready to return from the injured list shortly after the All-Star break.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Throws bullen session
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Matthews (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session at Target Field on Sunday, MLB.com reports.
Matthews has been on the shelf since June 8 due to a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder. He'll likely need to complete at least a couple more bullpen sessions before advancing to facing hitters in live batting practice and then heading out on a rehab assignment. Matthews could be ready to return from the injured list shortly after the All-Star break.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Begins playing catch
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Matthews (shoulder) started playing catch Friday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Matthews was diagnosed with a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder June 8 and was shut down from throwing for two weeks. He'll need to progress to throwing bullpen sessions before a clearer timeframe for his return comes into focus.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: No-throw for two weeks
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Matthews was diagnosed with a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder Tuesday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Now that the Twins know exactly what kind of injury Matthews is dealing with, the plan is to shut him down for roughly two weeks. He'll be re-evaluated following his no-throw period, at which point a clearer timeline for his return may emerge. Simeon Woods Richardson was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday and figures to remain in Minnesota's rotation until Matthews is cleared to return.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Out with shoulder strain
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The Twins placed Matthews on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right shoulder strain.
Though he pitched effectively this past Wednesday against the Athletics en route to claiming his first big-league win of the year, Matthews apparently came out of that outing with a shoulder injury. The loss of the right-hander is the second big blow to the Minnesota rotation in less than a week, after Pablo Lopez was shelved Thursday due to a right teres major muscle strain that will likely keep him out for 2-3 months. The Twins haven't named a replacement for Matthews, but Simeon Woods Richardson could be summoned from Triple-A St. Paul to fill the void.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Overcomes shaky first inning
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Matthews allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Friday.
Matthews gave up back-to-back home runs to Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena in the first inning, putting the Twins in an early 4-0 hole. They were able to dig out of it, sparing the 25-year-old right-hander from taking his second loss. He hadn't allowed a homer over his first two starts and Matthews now has a 6.43 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 21:5 K:BB over 14 innings this season. Matthews' next start is tentatively projected to be on the road versus the Athletics.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Fans nine in no-decision
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Matthews didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Royals, giving up two runs on five hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out nine.
The young righty got the hook after 81 pitches (57 strikes) having established a career high for strikeouts in his 11th big-league start. However, Matthews once again failed to go deep into a game after lasting just three innings in his season debut May 18. His ability to miss bats isn't in question, but he'll need to become more efficient if he wants to stick around in the Minnesota rotation. Matthews will take a 7.71 ERA and 14:4 K:BB through his first seven innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend in Seattle.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Sticking in rotation
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Matthews is slated to start Saturday's game against the Royals at Target Field.
Matthews entered the rotation last weekend as a replacement for righty Simeon Woods Richardson, who was demoted to Triple-A St. Paul after a string of poor outings. In his 2025 debut with the big club Sunday in Milwaukee, Matthews took a loss while giving up four earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over three innings. Though he likely doesn't have a long leash in the Minnesota rotation, Matthews will get at least one more chance to redeem himself in his home start Saturday versus a Kansas City offense that has performed at roughly a league-average level (100 team wRC+) in May. With another rough start, however, Matthews could be at risk of a demotion himself, as David Festa is healthy again at Triple-A following a brief bout with arm fatigue and would make for an appealing alternative in the big-league rotation.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Might be part of six-man rotation
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The Twins could recall Matthews and install him as part of a temporary six-man rotation, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
David Festa is expected to be promoted to start Friday, filling the rotation spot vacated by Pablo Lopez (hamstring). However, Matthews is a candidate to get a look in the majors soon as well as the Twins look to build in some extra rest for their other starters. Matthews has been dynamite in his first two starts with Triple-A St. Paul this season, allowing two runs with a 13:1 K:BB over 10 innings. It's not yet clear when he might start for the Twins, but he's a good candidate to stash in fantasy leagues where he's still available.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Sharp in return from hip injury
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Matthews (hip) threw three scoreless innings with five strikeouts and one walk in Wednesday's spring loss to Boston. It was his first outing since he suffered a strained hip during a Mar. 6 outing. "He probably had the sharpest outing that we've seen all spring," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Matthews exited his spring start last week due to what appeared to be an ankle injury but turned out to be a hip strain, but it sounds as though he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. He's battling for the fifth starter job but is likely to begin the season at Triple-A St. Paul as Simeon Woods Richardson and Chris Paddack (head) still appear on track to win the No. 4 and No. 5 starter roles.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Looks sharp in spring debut
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Matthews threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and no walks in his first outing of the spring Saturday. He reached 97.4 mph with his fastball and also displayed a refined changeup which he worked to improve in the offseason, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Matthews was a fast-rising prospect last season who rose from High-A to the majors based on his impeccable control and strong strikeout rates but struggled in his first trip to the majors (6.69 ERA). He has an outside shot this spring to win the fifth starter role, but it's more likely he begins the season in Triple-A. He could still have a significant impact in the majors this season with his minuscule walk rate (1.0 BB/9 career in minors), strong strikeout rate (10.2 K/9 career in minors) and velocity.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Yields one run in no-decision
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Matthews did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the Guardians, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.
The Minnesota rookie right-hander held his own against the division leaders in Cleveland, as he tallied five or more Ks for the fifth time in his seven starts. However, he allowed another long ball -- his ninth in 30 big-league innings - when Lane Thomas cracked a 424-foot solo shot in the fourth. With this effort, Matthews lowered his season ERA from 7.17 to 6.30, and he's also pitched to a 5.74 FIP, 1.60 WHIP and 32:6 K:BB. He currently projects to make his next start against the Red Sox on the road this weekend.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Takes first big-league loss
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Matthews (1-1) took the loss against San Diego on Monday, allowing five runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out one batter over five innings.
Matthews was given a one-run lead in the top of the first inning, but he allowed the Padres to score twice in the bottom of the frame. The rookie hurler allowed three more runs in the third -- those were all unearned, though the error that led to them was committed by Matthews himself. The right-hander added to the miscue with a pair of walks in the inning, which was very uncharacteristic for him given his minuscule 0.6 BB/9 over 97 frames in the minors this season. Matthews' command has been consistently outstanding throughout his time as a pro, so that aspect of his pitching will likely carry over to the majors. However, he made only four appearances at the Triple-A level (and registered a 5.68 ERA over 19 innings) prior to his call-up to the majors, so fantasy managers would probably be wise to tempter expectations as he adjusts to facing big-league hitters.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: To make MLB debut
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The Twins selected Matthews' contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday. He'll start Tuesday's game against the Royals.
Matthews will make his MLB debut Tuesday against Kansas City, and if he performs well, could see additional starts due to Joe Ryan (shoulder) and Chris Paddack (forearm) being injured. The 24-year-old was exceptional at Double-A, logging a 1.95 across 55.1 innings, but he's struggled with St. Paul, posting a 5.68 ERA across four starts (19.0 innings). However, he tallied a 23:1 K:BB at Triple-A. He may be worth a look as a streamer in the future, but he carries some risk Tuesday against a solid Royals lineup.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Receiving promotion to big leagues
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The Twins are expected to call up Matthews from Triple-A St. Paul this week, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Minnesota has an opening in its rotation Tuesday against the Royals, and Matthews looks poised to fill that spot for what will be his MLB debut. The right-hander boasts a 2.60 ERA and 114:7 K:BB over 97 innings covering three stops in the minors in 2024. With Joe Ryan (shoulder) and Chris Paddack (forearm) both expected to miss several more weeks of action, Matthews will have an opportunity to pitch his way into additional starts with the big club.
