Matthews (4-7) took the loss Sunday against the Cubs, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) on nine hits and three walks while striking out four over three innings.
Chicago's lineup jumped on Matthews early, as Alex Bregman opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the first. After a one-run second, Nico Hoerner cleared the bases with a three-run triple in the third. The right-hander had surrendered seven runs through three innings, but he returned for the fourth and failed to record an out before four straight Cubs reached and two more runs crossed the plate, ending his outing. The eight earned runs were a season high for Matthews. After posting a 4.91 ERA over his final six starts before the All-Star break, Sunday's performance did little to inspire confidence heading into the second half. Matthews will carry a 5.40 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 58:21 K:BB into his next scheduled start at home against the Athletics.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Takes loss Friday
Rotowire
Matthews (4-6) took the loss Friday against the Angels, giving up four earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three batters over six innings.
Matthews had given up just one hit and one walk through the first three innings of Friday's contest, but things began to fall apart after he conceded a solo homer to Vaughn Grissom to lead off the fourth. Jorge Soler doubled during the ensuing at-bat and later scored on a balk, and the Angels began the fifth inning by putting up four consecutive hits against Matthews, adding two more runs to their lead. The 26-year-old righty has now coughed up eight earned runs in 10.2 innings across his last two starts, and he'll take a 4.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 54:18 K:BB through 67 innings into the All-Star break.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: In clear to start Friday
Rotowire
Matthews (foot) is slated to start Friday's game against the Angels at Target Field.
Matthews was forced out of his previous start last Saturday against the Yankees due to a right foot laceration, but he was apparently able to make it though his bullpen session earlier this week without incident and won't have to miss a turn through the rotation. Since tying a season high by allowing seven earned runs in a June 11 outing versus the Tigers, Matthews has enjoyed a strong run of form over his subsequent four starts, posting a 3.28 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB in 24.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Takes tough-luck loss
Rotowire
Matthews (3-5) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over six innings in a loss to the Dodgers on Monday.
Matthews gave up solo homers to Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman but otherwise held Los Angeles scoreless. However, Minnesota's offense managed just one run of support, saddling the right-hander with his fifth loss of the season. Despite the defeat, there were positives to take away from the performance for Matthews, as he notched his second straight quality start (and third over his past four outings) while finishing with his highest strikeout total through four starts in June. Matthews next lines up to take the mound at home against the Rockies.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Goes seven innings in win
Rotowire
Matthews (3-4) earned the win Tuesday against the Rangers after allowing two runs on eight hits over seven innings. He struck out four without issuing a walk.
Matthews has been involved in the decision in each of his seven starts this season. This was a big bounce-back outing after he gave up seven runs on nine hits across six innings in a road loss to the Tigers the last time out. Matthews has five quality starts already and has pitched at least six frames in all but one of his seven appearances. He'll take a 4.78 ERA and 1.18 WHIP to his next start, scheduled for next week at home versus the Dodgers.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Tagged for seven runs in loss
Rotowire
Matthews (2-4) took the loss Thursday against the Tigers, allowing seven runs on nine hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out four.
It's the second time in three starts that Matthews has given up seven earned runs. The 26-year-old right-hander was hurt by the long ball Wednesday -- he gave up a season-high three homers in an eventual 11-0 loss to Detroit. After firing seven scoreless frames in his season debut in mid-May, Matthews' ERA now sits at 5.20 with a 1.18 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB through his first six starts (36.1 innings) this year. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, tentatively scheduled to come on the road against the Rangers.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Third straight quality start Monday
Rotowire
Matthews (1-2) took the loss Monday against the White Sox, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk with six strikeouts across six innings.
Matthews has made three starts since being recalled from Triple-A St. Paul, and he's a perfect three-for-three with quality starts. He was burned by the long ball in this one, surrendering a first-inning solo homer to Munetaka Murakami and a second-inning two-run shot to Drew Romo. That was all the scoring the White Sox needed in this one. Matthews now owns a terrific 2.37 ERA and 17:2 K:BB across 19 innings this season. Opponents aren't making hard contact against the right-hander, and he's walked just 2.1 percent of batters faced. Matthews is doing more than enough to remain in Minnesota's rotation.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Turns in another gem in loss
Rotowire
Matthews (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Astros, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six over six innings. He did not issue a walk.
Matthews fell behind immediately, surrendering a two-run homer to Isaac Paredes before recording his first out of the night, but the right-hander settled in beautifully afterward. Over the next five innings, he allowed just three baserunners while consistently attacking the zone, throwing 66 of his 100 total pitches for strikes. Despite the loss, Matthews has looked excellent since being recalled, limiting opponents to two runs with an 11:1 K:BB across 13 innings over his first two starts back in the majors. The 25-year-old is currently scheduled for a matchup against the White Sox next, the first in a two-start week.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Shines in season debut
Rotowire
Matthews (1-0) earned the win Thursday against the Marlins, allowing no runs on four hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out seven.
The Twins wanted to give rookie Connor Prielipp some extra rest, summoning Matthews from the minor leagues for a spot start Thursday, but now they may have to consider keeping Matthews around for more than just one turn through the rotation. The right-hander cruised past the Miami bats in his second career scoreless appearance, firing 56 of his 83 pitches for strikes while receiving plenty of run support. With Taj Bradley (pectoral) on the injured list, Matthews may have bought himself at least one more start with Minnesota early next week versus Houston.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Potential fifth starter
Rotowire
Matthews has a chance to win a rotation spot for the Twins this spring, and one more spot is now open in the wake of Pablo Lopez's elbow injury, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.
Leach surmised that Taj Bradley and Simeon Woods Richardson were likely ahead of Matthews in the pecking order to begin spring training, but Lopez's injury now opens up a third spot in the rotation. Mick Abel and David Festa (shoulder) are also options for the Twins.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Won't make another start
Rotowire
Matthews is not scheduled to make a start this weekend in Philadelphia.
Matthews had tentatively lined up to pitch the regular-season finale Sunday, but the Twins have Simeon Woods Richardson scheduled to take the ball that day instead. The righty bounced back from a couple rough outings to throw seven innings of one-run ball versus the Rangers on Tuesday in what turned out to be his final start of the season. Matthews will finish with a 5.56 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 88:24 K:BB over 79.1 frames covering 16 starts for Minnesota in 2025.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Knocked around in sixth loss
Rotowire
Matthews (4-6) took the loss Tuesday, allowing nine runs on 11 hits and two walks over three innings in a 10-9 loss against the Yankees. He struck out two.
Matthews was tagged for runs in each of the three innings he worked Tuesday, failing to find a groove before being pulled. The 25-year-old has endured a tough season, posting a 5.97 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across 15 starts and 72.1 innings. Still, there are reasons for optimism in his underlying metrics, including a 3.85 FIP and 3.4 K/BB pointing to better potential than the surface stats suggest.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Tagged for five runs in fifth loss
Rotowire
Matthews (4-5) took the loss Tuesday against the Angels, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out five.
The five runs allowed were Matthews' most since July 30 versus Boston. The 25-year-old right-hander has now failed to throw at least five frames in seven of his 14 outings this season, and he's also walked multiple batters in four of his last five appearances. Matthews will carry a 5.06 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 80:22 K:BB over 69.1 innings into his next start, which lines up for next week in a tough spot against the Yankees.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Uneven showing in no-decision
Rotowire
Matthews took a no-decision Friday against the White Sox, allowing four runs on eight hits and three walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out four.
Matthews tied a season high in hits allowed, and the four punchouts matched a season low. The 25-year-old right-hander has exhibited some promising strikeout upside in 2025, as he's fanned 67 over 52.2 innings, but he's struggled mightily with preventing runs and keeping the hits down while submitting a 5.30 ERA and .288 BAA. Matthews will remain a risky fantasy option in his next scheduled appearance, which is set to be a difficult task on the road against the first-place Blue Jays.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Fans nine in loss
Rotowire
Matthews (3-4) suffered the loss Monday at the Yankees, yielding three runs on six hits and one walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out nine.
The young right-hander looked solid in this 99-pitch outing, as he dazzled with 18 whiffs, but was bitten by the long ball in Yankee Stadium. All three runs Matthews conceded came on three solo homers -- Cody Bellinger in the first and Giancarlo Stanton and Ben Rice in the third. Since rejoining the Minnesota rotation July 19, Matthews has pitched to a 5.04 ERA and 1.28 WHIP but has featured an impressive 32:3 K:BB across 25 frames. He currently lines up to make his next start at home against the Tigers this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Tosses six scoreless frames in win
Rotowire
Matthews (2-2) earned the win against the Nationals on Friday, allowing two hits while striking out seven across six scoreless innings. He did not issue a walk.
Matthews was dominant in his first quality start of the season, limiting the Nationals to just three baserunners while generating 12 whiffs and seven groundballs on 81 pitches (54 strikes). It was his second start since being reinstated from the 15-day injured list July 19, and while he's had his struggles in the majors this season, Friday's outing lowered his numbers to a 4.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 29 innings. Even with Bailey Ober (hip) nearing a return from the injured list, Matthews should stay in the Twins' rotation after David Festa (shoulder) landed on the 15-day IL on Wednesday. Matthews is slated to make his next start against the Guardians on the road next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Surrenders five runs in loss
Rotowire
Matthews (1-2) allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out six over four-plus innings to take the loss Saturday versus the Rockies.
The Twins took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, but the Rockies chipped away at it over the remainder of Matthews' start, which was his first major-league outing since June 4. He threw 77 pitches (51 strikes) before he was pulled from the game after running into trouble in the fifth frame. The 25-year-old is now at a 6.26 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 31:9 K:BB through 23 innings over five starts in the majors this season. Matthews is tentatively projected to make his next start at home versus the Nationals, though he or David Festa could be at risk of losing the last spot in the rotation once Bailey Ober (hip) returns from the injured list.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Activated ahead of start
Rotowire
The Twins reinstated Matthews (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.
After missing more than a month with a shoulder strain, Matthews will return from the IL and start Saturday's game versus Colorado. The 25-year-old is coming off a brilliant minor-league start, during which he struck out nine batters in four shutout frames, and he'll be welcomed back to the big leagues by a Rockies offense that ranks 27th in MLB with a .673 OPS this season. Travis Adams was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Dazzles in rehab start
Rotowire
Matthews (shoulder) struck out nine and and allowed no hits and one walk over four shutout innings Sunday in his rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul.
Pitching in a game setting for the first time since June 4, Matthews was about as sharp as the Twins could have hoped. The right-hander showed no signs of being limited by the moderate subscapularis strain that has kept him on the shelf for more than a month, as he needed just 56 pitches to record his 12 outs while flashing a fastball that topped out at around 97 to 98 miles per hour. Though Matthews isn't yet fully stretched out for a typical starter's workload, the Twins could nonetheless be willing to bring him back from the injured list for the first turn through the rotation coming out of the All-Star break. Matthews went 1-1 with a 5.21 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB in 19 innings over his first four starts of the season for Minnesota before landing on the shelf.
... See More... See Less
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Throws live batting practice
Rotowire
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.
