MN Twins Youngsters Seeing Light at End of Injury Tunnel

Whether you blame injuries or their own ineptitude, the Minnesota Twins have struggled to keep their 2025 ship afloat during the first half of the season. Currently sitting at 44-47, team president Derek Falvey has a lot of decisions to make between now and the July 31 MLB trade deadline.

For much of the spring/early summer, manager Rocco Baldelli has been forced to piece together a Twins pitching staff that was supposed to be the most stable part of his roster, entering the season.

But as soon as the MN Twins lineup started to get healthy at the start of June, their rotation took a major blow when ace Pablo Lopez, along with up-and-coming starter Zebby Matthews both went down with different shoulder injuries.

And while the Minnesota Twins offense is mostly intact, at this point, they have been missing rookie utility guy, Luke Keaschall, who looked like the team’s best player for the week he spent in the big leagues back in May, prior to breaking his arm and landing on the IL.

Minnesota Twins injured players ramping up baseball activities

Thankfully, it sounds like both Matthews and Keaschall are nearing a return to live baseball games sooner than later. As of Tuesday, both guys are starting to face live competition, including against one another.

Prior to yesterday’s game between the Twins and Cubs, Luke Keaschall could be found in the Target Field batter’s box yelling at Zebby Matthews to throw him inside, a demand that caught the attention of manager Rocco Baldelli.

Zebby Matthews throwing inside on Luke Keaschall. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/29McS12o6x

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 8, 2025

“That might be the first guy in two decades of Major League Baseball that I’ve seen a guy ask to get pitched (inside) in a live BP against a guy throwing 97 miles an hour. You’re not going to see that very often, but it just tells you you’re dealing with young, youthful and very excited guys that are very eager to get back out on the field.”

Rocco Baldelli – The Athletic

Related: Report: Minnesota Twins Have Offer on the Table

Keaschall knows that opposing pitchers aren’t going to shy away from throwing him inside just because he is coming back from a broken arm caused by a HBP.

Prior to his injury, Keaschall went 7-for-19 (.368) to start his MLB career, seven games that included 3 doubles, 5 stolen bases and a 2/5 K/BB ration. If the Twins get that guy back, the lineup will immediately feel his presence.

Luke Keaschall and Zebby Matthews eyeing return

But when will that be? Well, in his most recent piece at The Athletic, MN Twins insider Dan Hayes makes it sounds like rehab assignments for both Mathews and Keaschall are right around the corner, seeing as their bodies react favorably to the recent increase in baseball activities.

Keaschall felt good enough after the session to take regular batting practice with Twins hitters. Now, he’s prepared for whatever the club asks of him next, which could include a quick trip to Fort Myers, Fla., for more live batting practice against rehabilitation pitchers at the team’s year-round facility. After that, Keaschall would likely go on a minor-league rehab assignment.

What’s next for Matthews is to be determined. He was asked and thought a rehab assignment could be in the cards, but also said the plan was to see how he felt and reassess Wednesday.

Dan Hayes – The Athletic

Zebby Matthews is no slouch on the bump. His 96.4 mph average fastball is up two mph from last season. Although the 5.21 ERA (3.08 FIP) leaves something to be desired, there’s reason to believe he can put it all together.

The next step for both Matthews and Keaschall will be an official rehab assignment. When that kicks off remains to be seen. The Twins have needed to piece things together with the absence of both players, but their additions could be a big boost in the second half.

Byron Buxton will compete in the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby next week in Atlanta. From there the Twins will have just two weeks to right the ship before the trade deadline.