Another MN Twins Starter Nearing Return to Rotation

The Minnesota Twins starting rotation has been a shell of itself for most of the summer. Pablo Lopez went down first and then was followed by Zebby Matthews. Bailey Ober pitched through some injuries, and it took a month of ineffectiveness before the team put him on the injured list.

Lopez remains out, and will be until at least mid-August. Ober’s injury was expected to be less serious even though it was initially reported to be representative of necessary mechanical tweaks.

The tall right-hander made an initial rehab appearance with Triple-A St. Paul last week. It now appears his return to the big league rotation may be imminent.

Bailey Ober almost back for Minnesota Twins

Last week Bailey Ober worked four scoreless innings for the St. Paul Saints as he kicked off a rehab assignment. He came out of the appearance feeling good and is trending towards a return. The Athletic’s Dan Hayes has provided the next step in that process.

After throwing a bullpen today, Bailey Ober is starting at Triple-A Saint Paul on Friday. #MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 23, 2025

With Ober set to pitch Friday for Triple-A St. Paul, he could be an option for the Minnesota Twins early next week. He’d be lined up to pitch Wednesday at home against the Boston Red Sox. That happens to be the day before the MLB Trade Deadline.

At his best Ober is a reliable back-end starter. He posted a 3.66 ERA across 68 outings from 2022-2024. He has rarely been at his best this season and it’s drawn frustration from the fans and team alike. His 9.00 ERA and 14 home runs across 30 innings in June were nothing short of disastrous.

Where does Bailey Ober fit for MN Twins?

Right now there isn’t an immediate rotation spot open. Moving Chris Paddack would be a straightforward way to change that reality. Paddack is owed the final portion of his $7.5 million salary, and may have use to a team looking for a back-end starter down the stretch.

Bailey Ober, Ridiculous 83mph Changeup. 😳

26 Inches of Horizontal Break. pic.twitter.com/rGktpnUpKd

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 19, 2025

After Ober got shelled by St. Louis while pitching sick, he turned in 11 starts with a 2.43 ERA (3.26 FIP). He doesn’t need to be that good, and even if he is it’s unlikely the Minnesota Twins get back in the playoff picture. Still, he needs to instill confidence that he can be a realistic rotation option moving forward.

Related: MN Twins Reliever Trending at MLB Trade Deadline

All eyes will be on the velocity and stuff Friday at Triple-A. His 90.4 mph average fastball is down from his 91+ mph career averages. It’s not much, but with a pitcher that relies on extension, the little things matter.

Ober probably did need to make some mechanical tweaks, but it was disingenuous to overlook the hip discomfort in that process. Hopefully both situations have resolved themselves upon his return to the big leagues.