Twins' Zebby Matthews: Comes away with win Wednesday
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Matthews (6-8) picked up the win in Wednesday's 7-5 victory over the Orioles, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.
The right-hander wasn't particularly sharp, tossing 60 of 94 pitches for strikes, but Matthews got enough offensive support to land in the win column. He also served up another homer, a three-run shot in the third inning by Dylan Beavers, and over seven starts since the beginning of July, Matthews has been taken deep seven times in 34.2 innings to help fuel a 7.27 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. With Joe Ryan (lower body) still lacking a target date for his return, Matthews will remain in the rotation for now, and he's set to make his next start at home early next week against Atlanta.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Available to start Wednesday
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Matthews (foot) is listed as the Twins' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.
Called up from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday to replace the injured Joe Ryan (glute) in the rotation, Matthews picked up a win over the Brewers while striking out four and giving up six runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks before exiting after five innings due to a right foot blister. The right-hander was apparently able to complete a between-starts bullpen session without incident and won't end up having to miss a turn through the rotation.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Exits with trainer
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Matthews was removed from Friday's game against the Brewers with a right foot blister, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Matthews came out to the mound to warm up for the sixth inning but was taken out of the game by a trainer. It's unclear whether his blister will affect his availability for his next start -- lined up for Wednesday against Baltimore -- but the Twins may provide more details in the near future. Before his exit, Matthews gave up six runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks while collecting four strikeouts.
The Twins plan to recall Matthews from Triple-A St. Paul to start Friday's game against the Brewers in Milwaukee, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
The 26-year-old will be entering the rotation as a replacement for Joe Ryan, who is headed to the injured list after he was diagnosed Thursday with a mild left glute strain. Matthews was demoted to Triple-A last weekend after losing his rotation spot to the newly acquired Dean Kremer, and he owns a 5.22 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 69:26 K:BB in 81 innings over 14 starts this year for Minnesota.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Sent down to Triple-A
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The Twins optioned Matthews to Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
After striking out 10 batters in five innings during his start Friday, Matthews will head back to the minors to create roster space for A.J. Minter and open a spot in the rotation that will presumably be filled by Dean Kremer. Matthews has posted a 5.22 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 81 innings this season and is likely to remain as a depth piece at St. Paul for most of the remainder of the year, barring an injury to one of the Twins' starters.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Punches out 10 in no-decision
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Matthews allowed three runs on four hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out 10 over five-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Friday.
While Matthews went winless in July, he was able to end the month with a couple of positive outings. Across five starts in July, he allowed a total of 23 runs (21 earned) across 24.2 innings with a 23:14 K:BB. The right-hander still needs to improve on his consistency, but he has potential. He's at a 5.22 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 69:26 K:BB across 81 innings through 14 starts this season. However, it's unclear for now if he'll maintain a rotation spot after the Twins traded for Dean Kremer on Friday.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Takes loss Friday
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Matthews (4-6) took the loss Friday against the Angels, giving up four earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out three batters over six innings.
Matthews had given up just one hit and one walk through the first three innings of Friday's contest, but things began to fall apart after he conceded a solo homer to Vaughn Grissom to lead off the fourth. Jorge Soler doubled during the ensuing at-bat and later scored on a balk, and the Angels began the fifth inning by putting up four consecutive hits against Matthews, adding two more runs to their lead. The 26-year-old righty has now coughed up eight earned runs in 10.2 innings across his last two starts, and he'll take a 4.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 54:18 K:BB through 67 innings into the All-Star break.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: In clear to start Friday
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Matthews (foot) is slated to start Friday's game against the Angels at Target Field.
Matthews was forced out of his previous start last Saturday against the Yankees due to a right foot laceration, but he was apparently able to make it though his bullpen session earlier this week without incident and won't have to miss a turn through the rotation. Since tying a season high by allowing seven earned runs in a June 11 outing versus the Tigers, Matthews has enjoyed a strong run of form over his subsequent four starts, posting a 3.28 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB in 24.2 innings.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Takes tough-luck loss
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Matthews (3-5) allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over six innings in a loss to the Dodgers on Monday.
Matthews gave up solo homers to Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman but otherwise held Los Angeles scoreless. However, Minnesota's offense managed just one run of support, saddling the right-hander with his fifth loss of the season. Despite the defeat, there were positives to take away from the performance for Matthews, as he notched his second straight quality start (and third over his past four outings) while finishing with his highest strikeout total through four starts in June. Matthews next lines up to take the mound at home against the Rockies.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Goes seven innings in win
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Matthews (3-4) earned the win Tuesday against the Rangers after allowing two runs on eight hits over seven innings. He struck out four without issuing a walk.
Matthews has been involved in the decision in each of his seven starts this season. This was a big bounce-back outing after he gave up seven runs on nine hits across six innings in a road loss to the Tigers the last time out. Matthews has five quality starts already and has pitched at least six frames in all but one of his seven appearances. He'll take a 4.78 ERA and 1.18 WHIP to his next start, scheduled for next week at home versus the Dodgers.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Tagged for seven runs in loss
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Matthews (2-4) took the loss Thursday against the Tigers, allowing seven runs on nine hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out four.
It's the second time in three starts that Matthews has given up seven earned runs. The 26-year-old right-hander was hurt by the long ball Wednesday -- he gave up a season-high three homers in an eventual 11-0 loss to Detroit. After firing seven scoreless frames in his season debut in mid-May, Matthews' ERA now sits at 5.20 with a 1.18 WHIP and 30:9 K:BB through his first six starts (36.1 innings) this year. He'll look to bounce back in his next outing, tentatively scheduled to come on the road against the Rangers.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Third straight quality start Monday
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Matthews (1-2) took the loss Monday against the White Sox, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk with six strikeouts across six innings.
Matthews has made three starts since being recalled from Triple-A St. Paul, and he's a perfect three-for-three with quality starts. He was burned by the long ball in this one, surrendering a first-inning solo homer to Munetaka Murakami and a second-inning two-run shot to Drew Romo. That was all the scoring the White Sox needed in this one. Matthews now owns a terrific 2.37 ERA and 17:2 K:BB across 19 innings this season. Opponents aren't making hard contact against the right-hander, and he's walked just 2.1 percent of batters faced. Matthews is doing more than enough to remain in Minnesota's rotation.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Turns in another gem in loss
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Matthews (1-1) took the loss Tuesday against the Astros, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six over six innings. He did not issue a walk.
Matthews fell behind immediately, surrendering a two-run homer to Isaac Paredes before recording his first out of the night, but the right-hander settled in beautifully afterward. Over the next five innings, he allowed just three baserunners while consistently attacking the zone, throwing 66 of his 100 total pitches for strikes. Despite the loss, Matthews has looked excellent since being recalled, limiting opponents to two runs with an 11:1 K:BB across 13 innings over his first two starts back in the majors. The 25-year-old is currently scheduled for a matchup against the White Sox next, the first in a two-start week.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Shines in season debut
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Matthews (1-0) earned the win Thursday against the Marlins, allowing no runs on four hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out seven.
The Twins wanted to give rookie Connor Prielipp some extra rest, summoning Matthews from the minor leagues for a spot start Thursday, but now they may have to consider keeping Matthews around for more than just one turn through the rotation. The right-hander cruised past the Miami bats in his second career scoreless appearance, firing 56 of his 83 pitches for strikes while receiving plenty of run support. With Taj Bradley (pectoral) on the injured list, Matthews may have bought himself at least one more start with Minnesota early next week versus Houston.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Potential fifth starter
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Matthews has a chance to win a rotation spot for the Twins this spring, and one more spot is now open in the wake of Pablo Lopez's elbow injury, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.
Leach surmised that Taj Bradley and Simeon Woods Richardson were likely ahead of Matthews in the pecking order to begin spring training, but Lopez's injury now opens up a third spot in the rotation. Mick Abel and David Festa (shoulder) are also options for the Twins.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Won't make another start
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Matthews is not scheduled to make a start this weekend in Philadelphia.
Matthews had tentatively lined up to pitch the regular-season finale Sunday, but the Twins have Simeon Woods Richardson scheduled to take the ball that day instead. The righty bounced back from a couple rough outings to throw seven innings of one-run ball versus the Rangers on Tuesday in what turned out to be his final start of the season. Matthews will finish with a 5.56 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 88:24 K:BB over 79.1 frames covering 16 starts for Minnesota in 2025.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Knocked around in sixth loss
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Matthews (4-6) took the loss Tuesday, allowing nine runs on 11 hits and two walks over three innings in a 10-9 loss against the Yankees. He struck out two.
Matthews was tagged for runs in each of the three innings he worked Tuesday, failing to find a groove before being pulled. The 25-year-old has endured a tough season, posting a 5.97 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across 15 starts and 72.1 innings. Still, there are reasons for optimism in his underlying metrics, including a 3.85 FIP and 3.4 K/BB pointing to better potential than the surface stats suggest.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Tagged for five runs in fifth loss
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Matthews (4-5) took the loss Tuesday against the Angels, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out five.
The five runs allowed were Matthews' most since July 30 versus Boston. The 25-year-old right-hander has now failed to throw at least five frames in seven of his 14 outings this season, and he's also walked multiple batters in four of his last five appearances. Matthews will carry a 5.06 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 80:22 K:BB over 69.1 innings into his next start, which lines up for next week in a tough spot against the Yankees.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Fans nine in loss
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Matthews (3-4) suffered the loss Monday at the Yankees, yielding three runs on six hits and one walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out nine.
The young right-hander looked solid in this 99-pitch outing, as he dazzled with 18 whiffs, but was bitten by the long ball in Yankee Stadium. All three runs Matthews conceded came on three solo homers -- Cody Bellinger in the first and Giancarlo Stanton and Ben Rice in the third. Since rejoining the Minnesota rotation July 19, Matthews has pitched to a 5.04 ERA and 1.28 WHIP but has featured an impressive 32:3 K:BB across 25 frames. He currently lines up to make his next start at home against the Tigers this weekend.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Tosses six scoreless frames in win
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Matthews (2-2) earned the win against the Nationals on Friday, allowing two hits while striking out seven across six scoreless innings. He did not issue a walk.
Matthews was dominant in his first quality start of the season, limiting the Nationals to just three baserunners while generating 12 whiffs and seven groundballs on 81 pitches (54 strikes). It was his second start since being reinstated from the 15-day injured list July 19, and while he's had his struggles in the majors this season, Friday's outing lowered his numbers to a 4.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 29 innings. Even with Bailey Ober (hip) nearing a return from the injured list, Matthews should stay in the Twins' rotation after David Festa (shoulder) landed on the 15-day IL on Wednesday. Matthews is slated to make his next start against the Guardians on the road next weekend.
