In that same contest left-handed reliever Anthony Misiewicz exited the game with an injury. He was originally diagnosed as being day-to-day, but Friday put a more definitive outlook on that.

Anthony Misiewicz to IL for Minnesota Twins

Misiewicz appeared in just four games for the Minnesota Twins. He allowed five runs on four hits while walking three. In his last outing, against Los Angeles, he didn’t record an out and left after a walk. We now know why.

Kody Funderburk is back as Anthony Misiewicz is placed on the 15-day IL with a left shoulder impingement. #MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 25, 2025

The injury to Misiewicz puts the Minnesota Twins bullpen in a tough spot. Kody Funderburk is back up for the fourth time this season, but he could be the only left in less than a week. If the Twins decide to trade impending free agent Danny Coulombe, it will be a stable of righties beyond Funderburk.

Funderburk is still looking to establish himself with the success he has experienced at Triple-A. The southpaw owns a 1.78 ERA across 25 1/3 innings in St. Paul. He has allowed just two home runs on the farm, and has a 6.4 H/9.

Unfortunately at the big league level, across 13 innings, Funderburk has allowed the same amount of home runs and has a 13.2 H/9. If he can establish some of the production he has flashed in the minors, the shuttle rides across town would stop in earnest.

Related: Former GM Calls for Twins to Complete Blockbuster

It’s unclear how much time Misiewicz will actually miss. He wasn’t really in the bullpen plans and was called upon only after Funderburk’s latest demotion. Minnesota can ease him back in, but it wasn’t as though he was successful in the low-leverage role he was working in.

Unfortunately it’s yet another hit to the health of the Minnesota Twins roster. That has been a constant theme for Rocco Baldelli this year.

Entering Friday, the Twins trail the Detroit Tigers by six games in the AL Central, but if the season ended today, they’d be a playoff team (WC2). Just like most other teams, this time of year, Minnesota is far from a perfect team.

Team president Derek Falvey — who now runs both the baseball and business sides of the organization — still has a couple months before the Major League Baseball July 31 trade deadline hits. That’s exactly two months and one day for the Minnesota Twins to make themselves better.

It remains to be seen how much the active selling of the team might impact the Pohlads’ willingness to add talent between now and July 31. Will they play it cheap, as to not put the organization into a deeper financial hole than it already is? Or, could they use the deadline to add talent that might help them net a playoff run able to woo buyers.

But if ownership is willing to play ball, there are certainly avenues for the MN Twins to get better.

The Minnesota Twins need more from first base.

This offseason the Twins opted against paying an aging Carlos Santana more money, after he won a Gold Glove in 2024. Now back in Cleveland, Santana is giving the Guardians exactly what he did Minnesota last season — a high-end defensive first baseman whose 2025 slash line of .254/.363/.384 (114 OPS+) looks very similar to his career numbers.

To replace Santana, Falvey hit the open market, where he found Ty France on the clearance rack for a miniscule $1 million. While he has been worth that underwhelming salary, his overall production has left plenty to be desired.

TY FRANCE!!!!! WALK-OFF HOME RUN!!!! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/fEUPS0OSiw

— Twins.TV (@twinstv) May 24, 2025

Let’s start with the positives. France has already racked up 30 RBI, which reflects just how good he has been in the clutch. With runners in scoring position this season, France has a .382 batting average and .843 OPS.

Without runners on, however, Ty France has struggled, slashing a brutal .225/.295/.351 (.606 OPS). Smash those together and France’s underwhelming .677 OPS and 91 OPS+ isn’t good enough.

Related: Pohlads Want Us to Believe MN Twins Sale is “Closer to the End”

Yes, France was worth the minimum investment Minnesota made in him, but if the Twins want to be a real contender in the AL, they need more out of that right corner infield spot. The 30-year-old seven-year veteran was signed as an insurance policy for the Minnesota Twins at first base.

At the time, they hoped either Jose Miranda or Edouard Julien would cement themselves into the lineup as much more than what France has been. Instead, both guys are in the minor leagues. That means, if the Twins want more out of first base, they’ll have to hit the open market.

How about we finally get that right-handed bat for the outfield?

It took time and a bunch of injuries for Carson McCusker to get his first big league opportunity. Once he did get his call up, the 6’7″ right-handed giant of an outfielder was used only sparingly, before he was optioned back to triple A earlier this week.

Clearly, McCusker wasn’t the answer Minnesota was looking for in the outfield. In fact, they never really gave him an opportunity to crush MLB pitchers like he has in the minors all spring. Instead, if the Twins want to add a right-handed outfield bat to help power them to the playoffs, they’ll need to find it on the trade market.

When the roster is healthy, the right-handed hitting Byron Buxton is flanked by combinations of Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach, Willi Castro and Harrison Bader. Castro is a switch-hitter, but he plays more infield than outfield.

Bader — who is having a career year offensively, slashing .276/.359/.433 (122 OPS+) — is the only righty hitter among that regular corner outfield group. The Twins signed the soon-to-be 31-year-old, not for his prowess at the plate, but for his incredible defense, which has paid off multiple times already this season.

A ridiculous play by Harrison Bader and Joe Ryan loves it! pic.twitter.com/rAk8vFRxVf

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 27, 2025

But this is the first time he has ever been a positive asset offensively. Can the MN Twins really trust him to keep it going for the next four months? Seems awfully risky. History tells us not to hold our breath on the Twins bringing in more outfield helpt, however.

Related: Young Minnesota Twins Star Down on His Luck and Confidence

Since Rocco Baldelli took over as manager, the Minnesota Twins have needed a bigger right-handed threat in the corner outfield. Yet, for years, Falvey has never had much interest in addressing it.

If this is they year he finally moves on addressing that weakness, there should be plenty of options available. Every MLB trade deadline, the market is flooded with corner outfielders and relief pitchers. We’ll see if the Twins decide to take a swing this time around…

One more arm for the MN Twins bullpen… please?

The Minnesota Twins have one of baseball’s best bullpens. Really, the pitching staff as a whole has been incredible. There isn’t a ton of room to replace arms with the potential to generate upside.

However, there are always relievers available on the trade market and shoring up the underbelly of the bullpen makes sense. Danny Coulombe was placed on the injured list largely due to what he attributed to his age. Kody Funderburk has taken over the left-handed reliever role, but has given up nine runs on 14 hits in just nine innings.

Danny Coulombe is a big loss for the #MNTwins bullpen.

In addition to having a 0.00 ERA in 16 2/3 innings, Coulombe also stranded 10 of 12 runners he inherited from other pitchers to save their ERA.

Coulombe is second to Jhoan Duran in Win Probability Added for Twins relievers.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) May 18, 2025

There isn’t an immediately logical option on the farm to promote as either a left-handed reliever, or bullpen arm as a whole. Jorge Alcala is definitely the low man on the totem pole in the bullpen, and he owns a 6.52 ERA (4.05 FIP). He has given up just one run over his last six outings (7 IP), but always seems like just a pitch or two away from disaster.

Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax have been arguably the best one-two punch this season. If there’s a way to add another leverage arm among the group of Cole Sands, Brock Stewart, and Louie Varland, then Minnesota should do it.

Now above .500 for the first time all season and in the midst of a ten game winning streak, however, the Twins have decided to make the first major change to their rotation, outside of a quick injured list stint by Pablo Lopez earlier in the year.

Simeon Woods Richardson demoted by MN Twins

Minnesota knocked off the Baltimore Orioles in both games of their doubleheader on Wednesday, the Minnesota Twins optioned their late-game starter, Simeon Woods Richardson, down to Triple A St. Paul, after forced his offense to make up for the 6 earned runs off 8 hits (2 HR) and 2 walks, in just 4 innings of work.

Kody Funderburk, who was called up as Minnesota’s emergency 27th man for yesterday’s doubleheader, will now remain on the Twins 26-man roster. The 28-year-old worked 1 1/3 innings scoreless of scoreless work during Wednesday’s doubleheader.

We have made the following roster move: pic.twitter.com/NV43lQMkBC

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 15, 2025

Funderburk provides Baldelli a second lefty, pairing with Danny Coulombe, out in the bullpen. He has made three big league appearances this season and has thrown 5 1/3 innings. At Triple-A St. Paul Funderburk has appeared in 10 games with a 2.19 ERA across 12 1/3 innings. He has a 16/5 K/BB on the farm.

Related: 45-Year-Old Former Minnesota Twins Pitcher Signs With New AL Central Team

Minnesota would love Funderburk to put together a season that he has looked capable of from St. Paul. He allowed just a single run in 12 innings as a rookie back in 2023. Last season’s 6.49 ERA (4.55 FIP) across 34 2/3 innings wasn’t good. That’s also not reflective of what he has shown capable of.

What’s wrong with Simeon Woods Richardson?

Unfortunately for Woods Richardson, this week’s start was just the latest in a line of less-than-efficient outings for the young 24-year-old right-hander, ballooning his ERA up to 5.02 and FIP to 5.28.

Cedric Mullins got him for a grand slam, and Heston Kjerstad immediately followed with a solo shot. It was the culmination of a tough outing, and the 24-year-old goes back to St. Paul owning a 5.02 ERA for the Twins.

In his last five starts, Woods Richardson has pitched into the fifth inning just once. Although yesterday was the first time he had allowed more than four runs during a start, his last five turns have resulted in a 5.48 ERA (6.15 FIP). Opposing batters own an .871 OPS against him in that stretch as well.

The Entertainer has left the building!! pic.twitter.com/MWEY3208Ol

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) May 14, 2025

The reality is that Woods Richardson’s best outings haven’t been good enough to avoid making a change. Not when the Minnesota Twins have potential horses like David Festa and Zebby Matthews chomping at the bit, in St. Paul.

Last season, SWR owned a 4.17 ERA (4.12 FIP), which might have been the very best he has to offer, at this point in his career, especially considering he was able to thread the ERA needle while posting a 1.540 WHIP. That’s way too many men on base, no matter how many he was allowing to come in.

New starter coming for Minnesota Twins

The stay for Funderburk may be brief as Minnesota will need to replace Woods Richardson in the starting rotation, by the time his next start comes around. Star Tribune beat writer Bobby Nightengale is reporting that Zebby Matthews will be promoted and make the start on Sunday in Milwaukee.

“Zebby Matthews, who has posted a 1.93 ERA in seven starts for the St. Paul Saints, is expected to fill Woods Richardson’s slot in the rotation, the Minnesota Star Tribune learned. The Twins haven’t announced their starter for Sunday at Milwaukee.”

Bobby Nightengale – Star Tribune

Zebby Matthews, who’s been dealing for the Saints, has certainly earned this opportunity. Zebby currently owns a 1.93 ERA in seven Triple-A starts. His 38/9 K/BB follows the command and control profile he has become known for down on the farm.

Matthews has not yet appeared in the majors this season. Last year he posted a 6.69 ERA (5.71 FIP) across nine starts as a rookie. His 43/11 K/BB in 37 2/3 innings absolutely worked. It was the 11 longballs that did him in. Matthews’ 4th and 9th starts accounted for 15 of his 28 total earned runs.

David Festa, who hasn’t pitched since May 6th, was skipped during his last turn due to arm fatigue. He previously filled in for Pablo Lopez earlier this year. Festa is scheduled to start on Saturday for St. Paul.

Related: Origin of Minnesota Twins Spartan Helmet Celebration Revealed

The demotion isn’t a death sentence for Woods Richardson, by any means. Now, his job is to go down, and get better, then fight his way back, which won’t be easy, given the high-end talent that Matthews represents.

There are still plenty of players in big league camp. A few non-roster invitees remain, but Rocco Baldelli’s Opening Day roster is becoming more clear as the days go by. After the latest moves, the starting rotation has now been set.

Five more roster cuts made by Minnesota Twins

None of Sunday’s roster moves should come as a shock to fans. What the latest moves mean is that Rocco Baldelli has his starting rotation locked in. That group was always expected to be Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Chris Paddack, and Simeon Woods Richardson. Now it is official.

Twins announced the latest round of cuts:

David Festa
Kody Funderburk
Luke Keaschall
Zebby Matthews
Alex Speas

As expected, that means the rotation will be Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Chris Paddack, and Simeon Woods Richardson.

Down to 40 players in major-league camp.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) March 16, 2025

Both David Festa and Zebby Matthews remain the most likely immediate depth options for the starting rotation. The former struggled this spring and allowed 15 runs on 19 hits in just 11 1/3 innings. He struck out 11 and walked just three.

Related: Minnesota Twins Superstar Suffers Spring Training Injury

The latter has been called a breakout candidate this year, and his Grapefruit League results are more than encouraging. Matthews didn’t allow a run across 9 1/3 innings and posted a strong 12/1 K/BB.

Luke Keaschall and Alex Speas were never expected to make the roster. Keaschall, top 100 prospect, should spend time at Triple-A and could be a star. He flashed during the Spring Breakout game and had five hits, including a home run, across 12 games.

Luke Keaschall kicks off the Spring Breakout game with a single. pic.twitter.com/8elcnznqwY

— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 15, 2025

There are multiple avenues for Keaschall to make the Minnesota Twins roster at some point this season. He could be a factor at either second or third base. Speas will go to Triple-A and provide bullpen depth.

Kody Funderburk was in consideration for the second lefty out of the bullpen. He gave up four runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings this spring. He also had an 8/6 K/BB. He’ll need to hone in the command but should be back at some point this season.

Related: Former Twins Slugger Turned Pitcher Granted Release From Rival

Rocco Baldelli’s camp now has 40 players in it. The Minnesota Twins must make 14 more cuts before taking the team back north. Most of the ambiguity remains in the bullpen, and final bench spots.