Twins Pitcher Blames Rough Outing on His Lunch
Inside the walls at Target Field is a different story, but outside expectations for the Minnesota Twins were non-existent entering the 2026 Major League Baseball season. But after an 8-7 start, fans are suddenly intrigued by the local nine.
One of the bright spots has been the Twins starting rotation. Despite losing Pablo Lopez for the year, following Tommy John surgery, the starting staff has been the bedrock of Minnesota’s better than expected start in 2026.
Outside of one rough outing a couple weeks ago, Joe Ryan has stepped into the ace role seamlessly, as expected. But more importantly, Taj Bradley has looked every bit the breakout candidate the Twins were hoping for.
Meanwhile, flamethrowing youngster, Mick Abel, has enjoyed somewhat of a rollercoaster start, during his first season in Minnesota. But behind Bradley and Ryan, the pleasantly surprising starts for Bailey Ober and Simeon Woods Richardson have helped carry the Twins to an above-.500 record through 15 games.
Simeon Woods Richards tagged by Blue Jays bad Subway Thursday
That was until Friday, when Woods Richardson — who after three shutout innings in Toronto, allowed FIVE runs on five hits (three doubles) during a meltdown 4th inning that cost SWR his early-season ERA and the Twins their fifth-straight victory, as the Jays went on to win 10-4..
BRANDON BLAST 💪
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 11, 2026
His FIRST @MLB home run! pic.twitter.com/YglRoRkizo
But after the game, Simeon Woods Richardson revealed why his mid-game implosion on the mound in Toronto wasn’t all that surprising, at least not for teammates and coaches who watched the 25-year-old righty throw up his lunch right before the game.
That’s right, according to what the Twins and SWR told reporters postgame, Woods Richardson ate some bad Subway for his pregame meal Thursday afternoon. While he was able to hold it together for three innings, the Minnesota’s No. 5 starter ran out of gas in the 4th inning.
Twins starting pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson was sick after eating a pregame sandwich, though he tried to pitch through it. Woods Richardson lasted only four innings, and the Twins wasted a four-run lead in their 10-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, April 10, at Rogers Centre, which ended their four-game winning streak.
Woods Richardson “was throwing up pregame,” manager Derek Shelton said. “I mean, after the third, he wasn’t in a great spot. We were hoping to get more out of him, and it just looked like he ran out of gas.”
Bobby Nightengale – Star Tribune
Bad lunch 1 | MN Twins 0
Despite his Subway’s digestion rebellion, Woods Richardson told the coaching staff he could pitch through it — a commendable offering, given the state of the Twins depleted bullpen at the time. Unfortunately, he couldn’t channel his inner Michael Jordan, and everyone paid for it.
Woods Richardson — who the Minnesota Twins acquired from Toronto a few trade deadlines ago, as part of the Jose Berrios trade — entered his third start of 2026 with a 2.31 ERA and 5.12 FIP, allowing just three runs in 11.2 innings. When he walked off the mound Friday, however, SWR’s ERA was ballooned to 4.60 ERA (5.38 FIP).
Related: MN Twins Optimistic About Royce Lewis Injury
Maybe manager Derek Shelton would have opted to handle things differently, had Cody Laweryson not been designated for the injured list that same day. But without him, and the rest of the bullpen already reeling, Shelton had no choice but to run SWR out there for as many innings as he could get.
Last season, the Twins allowed Bailey Ober to pitch while sick and he got pulverized. Fortunately, it doesn’t sound like Woods Richardson will be eating Subway before games anytime soon.
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