Injured Starter Returns to MN Twins Rotation

For the past handful of week the Minnesota Twins have been using a patchwork starting rotation. Pablo Lopez has been out for months. David Festa has been out for weeks. Simeon Woods Richardson initially was diagnosed with an illness then underwent surgery for a parasite.

Over the weekend the Twins promoted a pair of trade acquisitions to assume spots in the starting rotation. Neither Taj Bradley or Mick Abel fared well, but both made their Minnesota debuts.

On Wednesday, the “TBD” starter for Rocco Baldelli will turn into Simeon Woods Richardson.

Simeon Woods Richardson back for Minnesota Twins

Out since July 28, the Minnesota Twins welcome back Simeon Woods Richard to make a start against the Toronto Blue Jays. He made a pair of rehab starts at Triple-A for the St. Paul Saints and worked a total of 5 1/3 innings.

Pierson Ohl has been optioned to make room for Simeon Woods Richardson, who will start tonight’s game for the #MNTwins.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 27, 2025

After a 34-pitch first outing, Woods Richardson was pushed to 64 pitches in his last outing against Round Rock. The Twins will get their young starter back on an additional day of rest as well, with Wednesday being the sixth day since he last toed the rubber.

How the rotation will be handled is interesting. Right now their are six starters on the roster, but Hayes says that Baldelli won’t operate with a six man rotation. There are certainly piggyback candidates, so that’s a possibility.

The option of Pierson Ohl is also somewhat curious. Of course the Twins don’t like to lose players for nothing, but there were options here. Brooks Kriske has allowed 10 runs in eight innings with a 9/5 K/BB. Genesis Cabrera has surrendered five runs (four earned) with a 3/4 K/BB in 4 2/3 innings. Sending either packing may be addition by subtraction.

Can Simeon Woods Richardson keep it rolling for MN Twins?

Across 80 2/3 innings this year, Woods Richardson owns a 4.24 ERA with a 4.72 FIP. He has 69 strikeouts and 35 walks. The right-hander was demoted in May with a 5.02 ERA. In nine games (43 innings) since his return, Woods Richardson owns a 3.56 ERA (4.21 FIP). His 34/21 K/BB is problematic, but he’s worked around the potential danger.

Simeon Woods Richardson's 6th and 7th Ks.

Thru 4. pic.twitter.com/ayBbru9Nic

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 26, 2025

Last season Woods Richardson was an unsung hero at the back-end of the rotation. While unspectacular, he was a steadying presence among the group. He’ll have ample runway to substantiate his rotation spot going into 2026 with five-or-so more turns before the calendar runs out.

The Twins wrap up a three-game set against Toronto on Wednesday night before returning home against the San Diego Padres on Thursday.