Twins Rotation Depth Crisis
Zebby Matthews Exits Yankees Game With Foot Laceration, Deepening Twins' Pitching Woes
Key Points
Matthews left the game with a right-foot laceration after grimacing on a 95 mph fastball to Ben Rice, followed by a mound visit before he threw one warmup pitch and was removed after 4 2/3 innings.
In the fifth, Matthews allowed four runs on three hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings, including a two-run homer by Max Schuemann and a solo homer by Jasson Domínguez; he entered the game with a 4-5 record and 4.15 ERA.
The inning-ending injury compounds Minnesota's rotation issues, with Bailey Ober and Mick Abel on the IL and Pablo López recovering from elbow surgery; the Twins entered with one of MLB's worst ERAs (4.84) and have used Mike Paredes to help fill the rotation.
Prior to this start, Matthews had shown momentum, allowing two runs or fewer in each of his previous three starts while working at least six innings in those outings.
Minnesota Twins starter Zebby Matthews left Saturday's game against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning with a right foot laceration, according to ESPN. The injury happened after he threw a 95 mph fastball to Ben Rice. A trainer visited the mound, Matthews threw one warmup pitch, and then he was done for the day.
Matthews had allowed four runs on three hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings when he exited. Minnesota still led 6-1 at the time. But the injury adds more pressure to a rotation already stretched thin, The Score reported.
How the Injury Happened in the Fifth Inning
Matthews was pitching in the fifth when he grimaced after delivering a 95 mph fastball, according to ESPN. He did not finish the at-bat. A trainer came out to check on him, and after one warmup pitch, the decision was made to pull him. The team later confirmed it was a right foot laceration.
Before leaving, Matthews had already been hit hard in the inning. Max Schuemann belted a two-run homer. Jasson Domínguez added a solo shot. Those two swings accounted for most of the damage in what was otherwise a manageable outing, Field Level Media noted.
Matthews Had Just Rebuilt His Momentum Before This
The timing stings for the 26-year-old right-hander. Matthews entered the game with a 4-5 record and a 4.15 ERA. Over his previous three starts, he had allowed two runs or fewer in each outing while pitching at least six innings each time, according to Clutch Points.
That stretch showed real progress. He was getting deeper into games and keeping runs off the board. The foot injury now puts that momentum on hold. The Twins will re-evaluate his status to see if he can make his next scheduled start.
Minnesota's Rotation Was Already Running on Fumes
This injury lands at the worst possible time for Minnesota's pitching staff. Bailey Ober and Mick Abel are both on the injured list. Ace Pablo López is recovering from elbow surgery and not yet available, The Score reported. The Twins have leaned on rookie Mike Paredes to help fill the gaps.
The numbers show how much the staff has struggled. Minnesota entered the game with a team ERA of 4.84, one of the worst marks in MLB. Losing Matthews — even for a short stretch — makes a hard situation harder as the Twins chase a wild-card playoff spot.
Bullpen Holds Lead, but Depth Questions Linger
Despite the injury, Minnesota's bullpen held the 6-1 lead after Matthews left. The offense had done enough damage to give the relievers room to work. But leaning on the bullpen more often — with three starters unavailable — is not a long-term fix, according to ESPN.
The Twins now face a short-term puzzle: who fills Matthews' spot if he can't go? With Paredes already in the rotation and the IL crowded, Minnesota has few easy answers. The coming days of evaluation will shape how the team manages its staff down the stretch.
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