On paper, it looked like the perfect place for Minnesota to begin the second half of their regular season, especially as Twins players and coaches try their best to convince team president Derek Falvey that the front office should buy at the MLB trade deadline, not sell.

Unfortunately, reality doesn’t always meet expectations. And that was certainly the case on Friday, when Chris Paddack took the mound at Coors Field and struggled to get anybody out early on, allowing five earned runs by the end of the second inning.

Look out on the second deck 🚀 pic.twitter.com/KYr3AcXZdP

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 19, 2025

The Sheriff eventually settled in, gutting out five innings (8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 97 P), and the MN Twins fought their way back into it, but couldn’t complete the late-inning comeback, eventually falling 6-4 to the lowly Rockies.

Bailey Ober has successful rehab start, Zebby Matthews ready

While last night wasn’t the return to play Minnesota was hoping for, there was some good news throughout the evening, on the injury front. Hours earlier, Bailey Ober made his first rehab start for the St. Paul Saints… where the 30-year-old righty shoved for 4 innings (4 H, 0 R, 3 K, 0 BB).

Night is over for @baileyOB_17. He goes 4.0 shutout innings allowing four hits and strikes out three. He throws 50 pitches, only 7 balls. He threw 18 fastballs that averaged 90.1 mph, topped out at 91.6 mph

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) July 19, 2025

Related: Secret High Roller Emerges to Anchor New MN Twins Ownership Group

But that wasn’t the only good injury news from Friday night, that might help fans offset the disappointment of a slow start out of the break, revolved around another Minnesota Twins starter, Zebby Matthews, who has been out of the rotation since the first week of June, when he went down with a shoulder injury.

On Saturday, Zebby’s time on the IL will come to an end. According to multiple reports, Matthews will be activated off the injured list today, before he starts game two of this series in Colorado. He’ll throw his first MLB pitch in over a month at approximately 7:10 PM CDT.

Zebby Matthews will start tomorrrow for the #MNTwins. Travis Adams is headed back to Triple-A St. Paul.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 19, 2025

Minnesota Twins sending Travis Adams down

In order to make room for the 25-year-old righty, the Twins are sending long-reliever, Travis Adams, who appeared in three games, while up with the Big League club, tossing 9 total innings and posting an underwhelming 6.00 ERA, 73 ERA+ and a 1.444 WHIP. On the bright side, his 3.53 FIP gives him some hope to build on.

If Minnesota Twins players and coaches want to hold out hope that the front office will look to buy at the MLB trade deadline, they need to win the last two games of this series.

Because when they fly out of Denver on Sunday, they’ll be LA bound, for a three game set against the 58-40 Los Angeles Dodgers, where they’re scheduled to face Shohei Ohtani in game one on Monday night.

The last few deadlines, Minnesota has opted against making any substantive deadline moves, which has left players in the clubhouse frustrated. This time around, the team is underachieving and chasing a wild card spot aggressively may be foolish.

Minnesota Twins expecting to get healthier very soon…

At the same time, the impending change in ownership and questions surrounding the future of the front office makes it unlikely that they’ll go into full-sell mode, either. And a look just down the road, shows a team that should continue to get healthier, especially in their starting rotation.

Since the beginning of June, the MN Twins’ rotation has been without Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews, who suffered separate shoulder injuries during a series in Sacramento. About a month later, a struggling Bailey Ober joined them on the injured list with hip pain.

According to recent reporting out of The Athletic, by Dan Hayes, all three pitchers are on the road back to the active roster, some sooner than others. Also expected to join the fray soon, is infielder Luke Keaschall, who broke his arm on a HBP in May, after a flaming one-week start to his MLB career.

Zebby Matthews joining the Twins rotation first

It shouldn’t be a shock that Zebby Matthews is nearing a return for the Minnesota Twins, immediately out of the All-Star break. He threw a rehab game for the St. Paul Saints on Sunday, and absolutely punished the Triple-A hitters he faced for four innings. (1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K).

“The current situation is a crapshoot, though Zebby Matthews’ performance at Triple A on Sunday offers encouragement. Matthews struck out nine in four scoreless innings, which leads one to believe he’ll return to the majors soon.”

Dan Hayes – The Athletic

As of Thursday, the Minnesota Twins are yet to set their probable starters for the upcoming three-game series in Colorado, which begins Friday. It’s possible Matthews is in their plans, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Twins utilize long-reliever Travis Adams, in a piggyback spot, to give Zebby some training wheels for his return start.

Adams has taken two turns with an opener for Rocco Baldelli. Across eight innings he has allowed seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits. His last time out, a four inning appearance Pittsburgh, Adams earned the win, allowing just two runs (one earned).

Related: Report: Minnesota Twins Planning for Quiet Trade Deadline

Matthews has hardly been a sure thing for the Twins this season. He has a 5.21 ERA (3.08 FIP) in four starts (19 innings), but his last start was his best one.

But from a pure stuff standpoint, Zebby might be the most talented pitcher in the rotation, toting a 97-98 MPH fastball with pinpoint precision and and nasty offspeed stuff that keeps hitters guessing, when he is right.

Bailey Ober and Luke Keaschall starting rehab assignments

Unlike Matthews, Bailey Ober has had just a minimal stay on the injured list. Dealing with hip discomfort that resulted in a 9.00 ERA across 30 innings in June, Ober pitched terribly. The Twins continued to run him out to the mound, suggesting mechanical tweaks were necessary. They finally gave in, and Hayes is reporting the hip issue has now finally cleared up.

“With his hip inflammation resolved, Bailey Ober is throwing bullpen sessions and won’t need much time, either. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Ober make one rehab start since he and the Twins spent the last week trying to clean up mechanical flaws in his delivery.” – Dan Hayes

Ober will make that rehab start on Friday, and he’s being joined by rookie infielder Luke Keaschall.

Ober and Keaschall start rehab assignments at Triple-A St. Paul tomorrow. #MNTwins

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 17, 2025

It will be very interesting to see what Ober looks like. If the velocity and stuff still look diminished, it will be difficult to trust the Twins assessment that he can be competitive the rest of the way. Keaschall is more straightforward as imaging clearly suggests his broken forearm is healed.

Minnesota got just a seven-game sample size from Keaschall before a hit by pitch stopped his hot streak. He went 7-for-19 with three doubles, five stolen bases, and a 2/5 K/BB. If that level of production rejoins the offense the the lineup will be better for it. Keaschall suffered his forearm fracture at the end of April and was looking to get comfortable back in the box last week.

Luke Keaschall has recorded 5 stolen bases through the first 5 MLB games he has appeared in.

That is tied for the most stolen bases since at least 1901 😱 pic.twitter.com/hdJ5chmqu7

— MLB (@MLB) April 24, 2025

Royce Lewis, Willi Castro, and Brooks Lee are all healthy now. That presumably takes some options away from Keaschall. That said, he could spend time all over the infield, including first base as a better platoon partner with Kody Clemens than Ty France has been.

No matter what, if Keaschall and Ober are healthy and look ready to produce, the Minnesota Twins will find room.

Pablo Lopez planning to pitch through injury for MN Twins

Of those pitchers hurt, no injury is more significant than ace Pablo Lopez. The shoulder strain is the same injury that ended Joe Ryan’s season last year. The timeline presented was 8-12 weeks, but Lopez won’t have additional time to get back to 100%.

“I have to be smart about it. That doesn’t mean that you’re not going to be able to throw with an MRI showing a little bit of something. And that’s also when I have to be honest, be like, ‘Hey, I feel like I can push myself.’ Now, it’s like I know that I can still perform while my body continues to do its thing and heal.”

Pablo Lopez

The reality that Lopez won’t return in a full capacity this year is tough to swallow. Even with the extended time off, he’ll be pushing himself to work through different levels of hesitation. Lopez is extremely intelligent and knows his body very well. What level of competitiveness he can provide could go a long ways to determining Minnesota’s yearly outcome.

Pablo López, Wicked 85mph Sweeper. 🤢

10th K pic.twitter.com/P3QE9HHCC3

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 7, 2025

Lopez is having the best season of his career. With a 2.82 ERA (2.98 FIP) and 61/14 K/BB across 60 2/3 innings, it’s almost a guarantee he would have been an All-Star if healthy. That’s why the Minnesota Twins want him back. The part they have to weigh is at what cost it comes.

That’s probably where Lopez’s knowledge of himself comes in. With the ability to see imaging at any point, it Minnesota will be heavily reliant upon the feedback that Lopez provides. He’ll need to be real with himself, and upfront about his capacity as well.

Related: Minnesota Twins Jersey Patch Sponsor Revealed

A quality arm at the level that Lopez is will be far-and-away more impactful than anything the Twins can do at the trade deadline. They don’t need him to feel as though he must shoulder that load, literally and figuratively, however.

This year’s MLB All-Star break comes at the perfect time for Minnesota. Sure, the lineup is mostly healthy now, including Carlos Correa, who is back in the lineup after missing Buxton’s cycle game, a 12-4 Twins win over the pirates due to an injury scare with his surgically repaired ankle one night earlier.

Without a doubt, Correa, Royce Lewis and other oft injured or banged up Minnesota Twins players could use some time off. One player who does not need more time away from baseball, however, is 25-year-old rookie starter Zebby Matthews.

MN Twins RHP Zebby Matthews starting rehab assignment

After straining his rotator cuff back in early June, the flamethrowing righty has been back on the mound recently. The work Zebby has put in to this point has him ready to take the next step in his recovery, which is a rehab start on Sunday down in Triple-A, St. Paul.

Zebby Matthews (shoulder) is beginning a rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A St. Paul.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) July 12, 2025

Zebby going four innings or 65 pitches today in a rehab start for the Saints.

— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) July 13, 2025

Related: Byron Buxton Hits for Cycle on His Day; Twins Dominate Pirates

In 4 starts this season, Zebby Matthews — who won 2024 Minnesota Twins minor league pitcher of the year — is 1-1 with a 5.21 ERA, 25 strikeouts, 8 walks and a 1.47 WHIP in 19.0 innings pitched. He started to show signs of improvement before his injury, but the start to Matthews’ MLB career hasn’t gone according to plan.

Zebby made his MLB debut on August 13, 2024. Since then, he’s made a total of 13 big league starts (56.2 innings), posting an unimpressive 6.19 ERA and more reasonable 1.59 WHIP. If he can figure things out, Matthews’ 68/19 K/BB ratio and 10.8 SO/9 should lead to better results on the scoreboard.

Zebby Matthews still has some work to do but had an encouraging start today!

4 IP 5 H 2 R 1 BB 9 K
14 whiffs and 32 CSW%

How we feeling?
pic.twitter.com/YxJx2lyYDx

— Andrew DeCeglie (@Andrew_FBB) May 24, 2025

We’ll see if this latest stint on the injured list helped Zebby Matthews figure some things out, that will lead to him being a better MLB pitcher. That starts by showing he is healthy today with the Saints, where Matthews holds a 3.31 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 51.2 career innings at Triple-A.

For much of the spring/early summer, manager Rocco Baldelli has been forced to piece together a Twins pitching staff that was supposed to be the most stable part of his roster, entering the season.

But as soon as the MN Twins lineup started to get healthy at the start of June, their rotation took a major blow when ace Pablo Lopez, along with up-and-coming starter Zebby Matthews both went down with different shoulder injuries.

And while the Minnesota Twins offense is mostly intact, at this point, they have been missing rookie utility guy, Luke Keaschall, who looked like the team’s best player for the week he spent in the big leagues back in May, prior to breaking his arm and landing on the IL.

Minnesota Twins injured players ramping up baseball activities

Thankfully, it sounds like both Matthews and Keaschall are nearing a return to live baseball games sooner than later. As of Tuesday, both guys are starting to face live competition, including against one another.

Prior to yesterday’s game between the Twins and Cubs, Luke Keaschall could be found in the Target Field batter’s box yelling at Zebby Matthews to throw him inside, a demand that caught the attention of manager Rocco Baldelli.

Zebby Matthews throwing inside on Luke Keaschall. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/29McS12o6x

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 8, 2025

“That might be the first guy in two decades of Major League Baseball that I’ve seen a guy ask to get pitched (inside) in a live BP against a guy throwing 97 miles an hour. You’re not going to see that very often, but it just tells you you’re dealing with young, youthful and very excited guys that are very eager to get back out on the field.”

Rocco Baldelli – The Athletic

Related: Report: Minnesota Twins Have Offer on the Table

Keaschall knows that opposing pitchers aren’t going to shy away from throwing him inside just because he is coming back from a broken arm caused by a HBP.

Prior to his injury, Keaschall went 7-for-19 (.368) to start his MLB career, seven games that included 3 doubles, 5 stolen bases and a 2/5 K/BB ration. If the Twins get that guy back, the lineup will immediately feel his presence.

Luke Keaschall and Zebby Matthews eyeing return

But when will that be? Well, in his most recent piece at The Athletic, MN Twins insider Dan Hayes makes it sounds like rehab assignments for both Mathews and Keaschall are right around the corner, seeing as their bodies react favorably to the recent increase in baseball activities.

Keaschall felt good enough after the session to take regular batting practice with Twins hitters. Now, he’s prepared for whatever the club asks of him next, which could include a quick trip to Fort Myers, Fla., for more live batting practice against rehabilitation pitchers at the team’s year-round facility. After that, Keaschall would likely go on a minor-league rehab assignment.

What’s next for Matthews is to be determined. He was asked and thought a rehab assignment could be in the cards, but also said the plan was to see how he felt and reassess Wednesday.

Dan Hayes – The Athletic

Zebby Matthews is no slouch on the bump. His 96.4 mph average fastball is up two mph from last season. Although the 5.21 ERA (3.08 FIP) leaves something to be desired, there’s reason to believe he can put it all together.

The next step for both Matthews and Keaschall will be an official rehab assignment. When that kicks off remains to be seen. The Twins have needed to piece things together with the absence of both players, but their additions could be a big boost in the second half.

Byron Buxton will compete in the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby next week in Atlanta. From there the Twins will have just two weeks to right the ship before the trade deadline.

After the roster briefly worked itself back to full-health for a few days, from the very end of May until June 3, when Pablo Lopez suffered a shoulder injury that will still cost him a couple more months.

Then, Zebby Matthews hit the IL after him with a different shoulder injury, before both pitchers were followed by 3B Royce Lewis, who suffered yet another hamstring strain. it’s also worth noting that Trevor Larnach was scratched from the MN Twins lineup on Friday with a bruised right hand.

Minnesota Twins get a little bit of good news on injury front

But Saturday morning, far off in the distance, a small glimmer of hope has appeared over the horizon. According to La Velle E. Neal (Star Tribune), two of the three injured players listed above have begun their road back to the Minnesota Twins’ 26-man roster, even if both will still be a while.

In an article posted in Saturday’s paper, La Velle writes that, while it’ll still be a while before Lopez (and OF Luke Keaschall) return to baseball activities, Royce Lewis started running on his bad hamstring again Friday, the same day Matthews started throwing again.

Third baseman Royce Lewis, recovering from a left hamstring strain suffered on June 13 at Houston, began a running program Friday and will be evaluated daily.

Rookie righthander Zebby Matthews, on the injured list because of a right shoulder strain, started playing catch on Friday. He has to ramp up his throwing program and throw a couple of bullpen sessions before the Twins have a better idea of when he can return.

La Velle E. Neal III – Star Tribune

Neither guy will return imminently, but as the saying goes, you can’t run before you walk. While neither Zebby nor Royce were carrying the Minnesota Twins when they went on the IL, this is now a roster desperate to get its most talented players back. Without a doubt, both Lewis and Matthews fit that bill.

Royce Lewis was looking better before injury

Royce Lewis has appeared in 30 games (110 PA) this season for the Twins, where he’s struggled in aggregate, batting .202, with an ugly OPS of .585. On the season, he’s bombed just 2 home runs and collected an underwhelming 9 RBI. In his last 10 games, however, Royce hit .367 with a .990 OPS… and then he injured himself again.

Royce Lewis missed a grand slam by about 5 feet but drives in a pair with a double off the wall pic.twitter.com/7eP5u09V4x

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) June 4, 2025

Related: MLB Insider Reveals Minnesota Twins Trade Target + Cost to Deal

Zebby Matthews has all the tools to be a front-line MN Twins starter

Zebby Matthews was not up with the Minnesota Twins for very long, before he went on the injured list. He’s started four big league games, posting a 5.21 ERA (1.474 WHIP), but his FIP is way low, at 3.01, signaling he’s pitching better than what the results show.

As is usually the case with the 25-year-old flamethrower, his strikeout ratio is absurd, at 25 strikeouts (8 walks) in only 19 innings pitched. Minnesota called Matthews up after he posted a 1.93 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 32.2 innings pitched down at Triple A.

Zebby Matthews, 2Ks in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/L2zf5A3zkU

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 24, 2025

That’s no coincidence. The field at Sutter Health Park — the A’s temporary home while they find a new city to play ing — has drawn consternation from all over the MLB for both a brutal mound and hard batter’s box; a box that forced Carlos Correa to miss three games with back pain.

According to Aaron Gleeman (The Athletic), in a recent (paid subscriber-only) episode of Gleeman and the Geek, Matthews was experiencing some level of discomfort in his shoulder going into his start.

Minnesota Twins starter Zebby Matthews injury details revealed

Rocco and the training staff opted to let Zebby — who took over for a struggling Simeon Woods Richardson — take the mound against the Athletics anyway. He paid them off with one of his best big league performances to date. Unfortunately, he and the Minnesota Twins will now pay the price.

On Sunday, Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune) reported Matthews’ injury as a “moderate Subcapularis strain”, noting that he would need at least the rest of the month to recover.

Monday evening, a source close to the situation confirmed that the 25-year-old righty did indeed suffer a grade 2 Subcapularis strain, which will keep Zebby on the IL until well into July.

Source: Minnesota Twins pitcher Zebby Matthews underwent an MRI that revealed a Grade 2 Subscapularis Strain.

There are no current concerns regarding anything else around his shoulder.

— Ted (@tlschwerz) June 10, 2025

Zebby Matthews owns a 5.21 ERA (3.07 FIP) with a 25/8 K/BB. Alongside David Festa, Matthews is among the best pitching prospects in the system. His jump in velocity (94.9 mph in 2024 to 96.4 mph in 2025) has been a key contributor to his growth.

Related: Minnesota Twins Option Adams, Open Rotation for Simeon Woods Richardson Return

Thankfully, the MRI did not reveal any additional damage to Zebby Mathews’ arm or shoulder area and will not require surgery. That’s likely why — instead of 2-3 month, like Pablo (and Joe Ryan last year) — the Minnesota Twins are hoping their flamethrowing righty will be back some time next month.

What is a Subcapularis strain?

The subscapularis is a muscle located on the front surface of the scapula (connected to the rotator cuff), is pretty far away from where Lopez and Ryan’s injuries are/were, which is on the lower back part part of the shoulder blade.

Still, after some amateur internet research by this non-medical professional, the Minnesota Twins must feel pretty good about the finer details of Zebby Matthews’ diagnosis. Nonetheless, a Grade 2 muscle strain registers as a tear, which explains the Twins’ plans to shut him down for a couple of weeks before re-evaluating.

According to most trusted medical websites, muscle tears generally take 3-12 weeks to recover from. Of course, that is not specific to Matthews’ injury. It’s more of a general consensus, based on the comeback history of this injury.

Muscles typically heal a little quicker than other tissues as they are highly vascular receiving oxygen and other nutrients throughout the day passively and even more during activation of the specific muscle and globally.

• Grade I
  • 2 days – 4 weeks
• Grade II
  • 3 weeks- 12 weeks
• Grade III
  • 5 weeks – 24 weeks

Lake Washington Physical Therapy (lakewashingtonpt.com)

This week, however, that changed when Pablo Lopez was pulled from his start against the Athletics after just five innings with what was later diagnosed as a Grade 2 Teres Major strain, an injury some in the Minnesota Twins organization think could have been caused by the less-than-ideal minor league field conditions in Sacramento, temporary home of the orphan Athletics.

Zebby Matthews joins Minnesota Twins injured list

And now… it appears Sutter Health Park may have claimed another Twins starter, Zebby Matthews, who pitched Wednesday against the A’s. Just a few days later, he is going on the injured list too.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/bFIcCUZMdc

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 8, 2025

In Sacramento, Matthews worked five innings of one-run ball. He allowed four hits while walking three and striking out four. At the time, it seemed like a relatively uneventful outing… but apparently it was not.

The shoulder strain means that Zebby is out for at least 15 days, and there’s an increased concern, considering the shoulder issues are not as straightforward as other pitching injuries can be. Just ask Pablo Lopez. The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman is reporting Matthews will be shut down for at least two weeks.

“I was able to throw through it in Seattle and Sacramento. But ultimately now, I’m feeling it a little more. I’ll have to take a little time off, but hopefully it’s not too long…It’s not something we’re too concerned with. It seems to be something we can respond to, hopefully, pretty quick.”

Zebby Matthews – The Athletic

The Minnesota Twins just promoted the 25-year-old flamethrower a couple weeks ago, to take over for a struggling Simeon Woods Richardson. He made just four starts (5.21 ERA 3.07 FIP) before landing on IR.

Simeon Woods Richardson call up incoming…?

It stands to reason that Woods Richardson will be recalled, to take over the Twins’ now-vacant rotation spot. In the meantime, left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe is back with the club after a brief rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints. He returns to a 0.00 ERA in 16 2/3 innings across 19 appearances.

Simeon Woods Richardson WILL NOT start today for the @StPaulSaints

He’s being recalled by the Twins.

Randy Dobnak gets the start.

— Ted (@tlschwerz) June 8, 2025

It certainly looks like SWR is the choice, and he will need to better. And not just better than he was before being optioned to St. Paul, but also since the demotion. He has posted a very meh 4.24 ERA across 17 innings in three starts for the Saints (19/5 K/BB). The problem is that his five-run blowup start (that included three homers) came in his last time out.

Related: Minnesota Twins Blame A’s Ballpark for Injuring Star Players

The depth that the Minnesota Twins had for the starting rotation is about to be tested to the maximum degree. The two next options would be Marco Raya — who hasn’t looked ready — and Andrew Morris, who isn’t on the 40-man roster.

But on Sunday, they made a more surprising roster move, sending lefty reliever Danny Coulombe to the injured list with a ‘left forearm extensor strain’. In his place, the Twins have recalled starting pitcher Zebby Matthews to start on Sunday afternoon, a move that was reported on Saturday.

Minnesota Twins roster moves made official on Sunday

In another official move that was announced alongside the Coulombe for Matthews swap, Minnesota transferred infielder Luke Keaschall — and his right forearm fracture — to the 60-day injured list. That made room on the 40-man roster for the much anticipated MLB debut of young slugger, Carson McCusker, whose closest MLB comp is… Aaron Judge. But more on him momentarily.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/212QB3DqDq

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 18, 2025

The surprising injured list stay for Danny Coulombe significantly hurts the Minnesota Twins bullpen, which now needs another arm in the very near future. Not only was Coulombe the only lefty in the bullpen, but he had pitched 16.2 scoreless innings for Rocco Baldelli & Co this season, prior to his injury.

Not only is his ERA+ incalculable, but his 0.600 WHIP and 1.18 FIP are nearly just as impressive. The 35-year-old former 25th round draft pick in 2012 has already amassed 1.1 WAR, 5th most among MLB relievers, in part thanks to his 19 strikeouts vs just 2 walks allowed.

#MNTwins Danny Coulombe now has an elite 19 K and only 1 BB this season. He's amongst the top 1% in baseball for K/BB. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kUYjeKzwua

— Talkin' Twins (@TalkinTwins) May 11, 2025

Danny Coulombe, placed on the 15-day IL with a left forearm extensor strain, said he’s been pitching through it all year.

“When you’re 35, you’re not going to feel good all the time.”

He’s optimistic it will be a short absence.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) May 18, 2025

Onto the exciting news that was made official today, but yet another move that was actually reported on Saturday. He isn’t in the starting lineup Sunday afternoon in Milwaukee, but 6’8″, 250 lb right-handed slugger Carson McCusker is now on both the 40-man and active 26-man Minnesota Twins roster.

Here comes Carson McCusker…

Why has the fanbase been waiting so impatiently to see McCusker in a Twins uniform? Well, because the 27-year-old‘s closest comp is Aaron Judge. And not just because of his overwhelming human frame.

Related: New Minnesota Twins Promotions Bring Two Debuts

Yes, McCusker look like the right-handed version of the New York Yankees superstar, when he’s standing in the batter’s box, but Carson McCusker’s been hitting the baseball a lot like Judge recently too.

In 38 games this season down at Triple A St. Paul, the former undrafted kid out of Oklahoma State is hitting an absurd .350, with a 1.061 OPS built on 10 HR, 11 doubles, 13 walks and 36 RBI. He’s also struck out 46 times… but with these numbers, who’s counting?

6'8, 250. The guy our broadcaster, @TheVoiceBTV, dubbed McCrusher. Undrafted, to Indy ball, to slashing .350/.412/.650 with us. Top 10 in 8 different major offensive categories & 2nd highest exit velo in the Minors. Congrats to @carson_mccusker @exploreminn call up to #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/lHNRZMnDfK

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) May 18, 2025

While McCusker was undrafted after college, he was selected in the 26th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, out of Folsom Lake Community College, in Folsom (CA). Instead, he chose four years at Oklahoma State, where he slashed .294/.367/.519 (.886 OPS).

That wasn’t good enough to get a phone call during the 2021 MLB Draft, though. After going undrafted, McCusker played two summers of Independent League baseball, in the Frontier League.

Related: Origin of Minnesota Twins Spartan Helmet Celebration Revealed

Then in 2023, at 25 years old, he finally got his shot in affiliated ball, signing with the Minnesota Twins. Now, after 207 minor league games in the organization between single A and triple A, the right-handed hitting monster batted .290 with a .886 OPS (43 HR, 147 RBI).

Two years later, even if it doesn’t come Sunday, Carson McCusker will soon get his first opportunity to prove he can hit anywhere, including the big leagues.

Unfortunately their last game in Baltimore, which finished a 6-0 season-series sweep, came with some substantial costs. A nasty collision between Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa now has each player on the 7-day concussion injured list.

Starting pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson also was demoted for his struggles this season. That means Sunday will be a day of debuts for a pair of Minnesota Twins prospects.

Zebby Matthews and Carson McCusker join Minnesota Twins

Zebby Matthews made his major league debut last season after putting together an exceptional run that began at High-A Cedar Rapids. Carson McCusker is an undrafted prospect that has raked since being signed out of indy ball. Both will join the MN Twins on Sunday.

Zebby Matthews is here in Milwaukee with the Twins. He’ll make his 2025 debut Sunday vs. Brewers. https://t.co/PNAwquWupt

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) May 17, 2025

Carson McCusker is expected to join the #MNTwins on Sunday. https://t.co/n6KgAn4Ls3

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 17, 2025

Matthews will take over the rotation spot vacated by Woods Richardson. He has a 1.93 ERA and 38/9 K/BB across 32 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season. Last year he rose the ranks and earned top 100 prospect recognition for his strikeout and command ability.

That all remains, but he is a transformed pitcher this season. He averaged 95.6 mph on his fastball at Triple-A last season, and 94.9 mph at the big league level. It has since jumped to 96.5 mph this year, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him hit triple digits.

Zebby Matthews gets the call!

One of baseball’s nastiest arms — elite command, uptick in velo, and a filthy 1.93 ERA with a 28.1% K rate in Triple-A.

Showtime.pic.twitter.com/35IdTtgjle

— RotoLegends (@RotoLegends) May 15, 2025

Matthews gives Minnesota an arm with higher upside at the back end of the rotation. The group’s 3.39 ERA is already 4th-best in the majors. His addition makes it that much more exciting.

McCusker will be making his major league debut when he takes the field. He’ll assume the roster spot vacated by Byron Buxton, who joined Carlos Correa on the concussion injured list.

Minnesota has never seen McCusker land on a top 100 prospect list but it’s impossible to ignore the production put forth by the 26-year-old.

6'8, 250. This one is the 5th hardest hit ball in franchise history at an even 115.0 mph. An absolute missile by @carson_mccusker a.k.a. McCrusher clubs his 10th homer of the season. This solo shot makes it 2-0. His 10 HR's are tied for the most in the Minors pic.twitter.com/KKHP40OiAT

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) May 11, 2025

In 24 games last season at Triple-A the slugger owned an .820 OPS. In 38 games this season McCusker is batting .350/.412/.650 with 11 doubles and ten home runs. He does strike out a lot with a 46/13 K/BB, so there is reason to pause in regards to the major league expectations.

McCusker never hit more than eight home runs in a season collegiately with Oklahoma State. He revamped his approach and has since become a pull power hitter. As a right-handed bat, he won’t factor into centerfield, but could provide thump for the corner outfield.

MN Twins need to get their stars healthy

It’s great that an opportunity presented itself for Matthews. Both he and David Festa own higher upside than that of Simeon Woods Richardson. It will be on Matthews now, and Festa in the future, to prove they have staying power at the big leagues.

McCusker’s opportunity comes as a reflection of Buxton’s injury. Correa has not been productive offensive this year, but his 3 DRS (defensive runs saved) and 7 OAA (outs above average) trend towards elite levels again. Buxton had previously missed just a single game while on the active roster, and he has led the team in fWAR (1.9).

It’s certainly fun that some of the franchise’s youth is getting a chance to compete. It’s not good that Minnesota lost two of their superstars in the process.

Here's the collision that caught the Twins to biggest stars and sent Carlos Correa to the training room. pic.twitter.com/F91zyrWmNn

— Ted (@tlschwerz) May 15, 2025

The collision between Buxton and Correa was a nasty one. It’s good neither needs surgery or had additional damage done. It’s also not ideal that their injuries are to their heads. The MN Twins franchise has seen the lingering effects those issues can cause (Joe Mauer/Justin Morneau) and neither player will be in the clear even after they progress through the concussion protocol.

For a short term situation the Twins can rally together and look to pick up their departed teammates. The outcome of the season as a whole will directly be impacted by how quickly Correa and Buxton can get back on the field and stay there.

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.

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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.

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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.