Another Minnesota Twins Pitcher Leaves Spring Training Game with Injury

Through the first handful of games during Grapefruit League Spring Training action, the Minnesota Twins have emerged relatively healthy. They’ve had a few things pop up, but the biggest thing thus far occurred yesterday (March 5) when Justin Topa left a game against the Baltimore Orioles with a shoulder injury. Until today, that is.

Matt Canterino wasn’t expected to make the Opening Day roster, but he too suffered yet another injury and is on the shelf, where he’s has been for nearly his entire career. Thursday, the lineup was pulverizing Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees when, the Twins had another pitcher exit before expected.

Zebby Matthews came on in relief of Joe Ryan after two innings. He has looked great so far this spring, and was trying to build on that momentum. He was cruising once again on Thursday through his 1.1 innings, but wasn’t able to finish his outing.

Zebby Matthews leaves game for Minnesota Twins

Last season, Zebby Matthews started at Single-A, and eventually made his way all the way up to the big leagues, which, does not happen very often all in one year. This year, he has been working as a potential starting rotation member, but Thursday’s injury leads to some worry. If he is forced to miss significant time, it certainly could effect the rest of the season for the Twins pitching depth.

Zebby Matthews exited today's game after making a nice play on a slow-chopper near the foul line. Matthews' right foot/ankle slipped while making the play. Walks off field under own power. #MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) March 6, 2025

Matthews came on in relief of Joe Ryan, who was making his 2025 Grapefruit League debut. The former 8th round pick worked just 1 1/3 innings before walking off the field with a trainer. He fielded a slow chopper down the third base line during the third inning, and was able to fire it to first base for an out. The play looked awkward, though, and he couldn’t get through the fourth inning.

Rocco Baldelli told the Star Tribune postgame that Matthews exited with right hip discomfort. The pitcher said it was precautionary to leave and that he could have kept pitching. Don’t bet on the Twins allowing that to happen. Minnesota will want to make sure Matthews is good to go before putting him back on the mound.

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This was Matthews’ third appearance this spring, and he has allowed just four hits in 6 1/3 innings. His 7/0 K/BB is indicative of the strike-throwing machine he has been throughout the duration of his professional career.

MN Twins hope Zebby Matthews rebounds quickly

The hope would be that Matthews didn’t experience anything substantial, and the cautionary move winds up being nothing more than that. Hip discomfort is relatively vague, and would be what hockey defines as a lower-body injury. Still, any issues to his legs or plant foot could certainly cause problems from a pitching perspective.

Last season Matthews pitched in nine big league games as a starter and owned a 6.69 ERA. He carried a 43/11 K/BB and was hit heavily by the longball as he allowed 11 in just 37 2/3 innings.

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Despite an uptick in velocity, and questionable early results from Chriss Paddack, Matthews is likely ticketed for a start in St. Paul. He will join David Festa as high-quality depth at Triple-A, and Rocco Baldelli’s rotation couldn’t be in a better situation , compared to where it was a year ago.

It sounds like Matthews may have missed a long term injury. He still is likely to have a period of absence during Grapefruit League play.