Minnesota Twins Provide Updates on Injured Pitchers

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Zebby Matthews, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins are now less than two weeks away from Opening Day when they head to St. Louis. Through Grapefruit League action thus far, they have remained relatively healthy. They own a 7-9 record through a pretty normal spring training as of now. Last season saw a myriad of injuries pop up just as Rocco Baldelli’s team was leaving Fort Myers, so let’s hope they leave a little more healthy this time around.

Thankfully, as we speak, Minnesota hasn’t seen any issues with their star trio of Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Royce Lewis. A couple of pitchers have experienced setbacks, but it appears none of them should be long term.

Minnesota knocked off the Pittsburgh Pirates in a big way on Thursday at Lee Health Sports Complex. The 15-3 drubbing featured 14 runs combined between the fifth and sixth innings. We received some injury updates yesterday, as well.

MN Twins Pitchers Escape Serious Issues

The starting rotation appears set to go for game 1. The Minnesota Twins will trot out Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Chris Paddack, and Simeon Woods Richardson. They also have nice depth at Triple-A, and which means the. St. Paul Saints should have a good year, too. The depth took a hit when Zebby Matthews exited his last start with hip discomfort, however.

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Fortunately he is no worse for wear, and returned to the mound on Wednesday night against the Boston Red Sox. Minnesota’s breakout candidate threw three scoreless innings. He didn’t allow a hit, struck out five, and walked just one. Matthews has now thrown 9 1/3 scoreless innings this spring.

“He probably had the sharpest outing that we’ve seen all spring. He looked fantastic. He threw some pitches I didn’t even know what they were. I think he threw a 94-mph cutter, which I didn’t even know he did.”

Rocco Baldelli on Zebby Matthews

Beyond just getting Matthews back on the mound, Minnesota received good news on Justin Topa. The reliever, projected as a middle-inning option, experienced shoulder soreness in his last appearance. He took some time to let it calm down and has returned to bullpen work. It appears the soreness isn’t something that should hold him back.

“It was more precautionary than anything. I was joking, fortunately or unfortunately, I know what elbow injuries feel like. I’ve never had any shoulder stuff. I was like, OK, maybe a ‘it’s not loose’ type situation. I threw a couple more, and it was still there. At that point, it was like, all right, I’m feeling it pretty much every pitch. Let’s get out of here and take a look at it. Thankfully, it was a pretty quick down time.”

Justin Topa to the Star Tribune

Last season, Topa began the year on the injured list due to a knee issue. He worked his way back to throw just 2 ⅓ innings, and was a complete non-factor for the Twins bullpen. The Minnesota Twins are hoping the guy that threw 69 innings with a 2.61 ERA for Seattle in 2023 returns this season.

If Topa can remain healthy he’ll be a key cog in the MN Twins bullpen. There isn’t much question regarding the leverage arms, but he can help bolster the middle relief group. Baldelli’s group is projected to be one of the best in baseball, and if that is going to happen, they will need to have their key contributors healthy.

Given both arms exited before they were expected to, the updates couldn’t be more positive. Topa is scheduled to return to game action on Friday.

Prospect injuries continue for Minnesota Twins

Earlier this spring the Minnesota Twins announced a couple of injuries for their top prospects. Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Jenkins are both behind schedule due to ankle issues. And this week it was revealed they aren’t alone when it comes to minor league talent remaining off the field.

Saturday the Twins will head up to Dunedin for a Spring Breakout game against the Toronto Blue Jays. 2024 first round pick Kaelen Culpepper was originally on the roster, but won’t play due a hamstring issue. The Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale reports that the injury isn’t expected to impact the start of his minor league season, though.

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Culpepper played in 26 games during his pro debut season. He finished the year at High-A Cedar Rapids. Across 122 plate appearances the former Kansas State Wildcats shortstop slashed .242/.330/.394 with three home runs.

Joining Culpepper on the sidelines is prospect Payton Eeles. The former indy ball signee went from Low-A Fort Myers all the way to Triple-A St. Paul last season. He owned a .307/.435/.497 line across his first 111 pro ball games, and he looks like a legitimate big league depth piece.

Eeles has offseason knee surgery to address a cartilage issue and he will open the season on the injured list for St. Paul. If he can recover quickly and get back on the diamond, Eeles a player that should push for an opportunity on the 40-man roster.

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