Twins' Zebby Matthews: Yields two homers in no-decision
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Matthews allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five over 3.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Wednesday.
Matthews gave up solo home runs to Taylor Ward and Nolan Schanuel in this contest. This was just the second time Matthews has walked multiple batters over six major-league starts, but he's also been tagged for eight homers. He is at a 7.11 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 27:5 K:BB through 25.1 innings. His next start is tentatively projected to be at Cleveland.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Falls to Royals
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Matthews (1-3) took the loss Friday, giving up four runs on nine hits and a walk over five innings as the Twins were downed 5-0 by the Royals. He struck out four.
While his offense gave him no support, Matthews once again left too many hittable pitches over the plate. The rookie right-hander served up his sixth homer in 22 big-league innings, a fourth-inning solo shot by Michael Massey, and while his 22:3 K:BB over that stretch demonstrates that the impeccable control he displayed in the minors remains intact, it comes with a 7.36 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. Matthews lines up to make his next start at home next week against the Angels.
Matthews (1-2) took the loss against Toronto on Saturday, allowing nine runs on 10 hits and no walks while striking out five batters over two innings.
Matthews came into the contest with an impressive 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through three big-league starts, but those numbers rose astronomically as a result of Saturday's disastrous outing. The rookie right-hander gave up seven runs in the first inning and two more in the second, and three of the 10 hits against him left the yard. Matthews was mercifully relieved when the third inning came around, and he departed having thrown a whopping 69 pitches in two frames -- more than Toronto starter Jose Berrios tossed across six scoreless innings. If there's any bright side, it's that Matthews managed 12 whiffs and five punchouts in the short start, but that's not much consolation for fantasy managers who roster Matthews and had their ratios for the week blown up as a result of his poor start.
Matthews did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on four hits over five innings against the Cardinals. He struck out seven.
Matthews put together his best performance to date, allowing a career-best one run while striking out seven, which more than doubled the six punchouts he accumulated during his first two big-league starts. He held the Cardinals scoreless through four frames, and a two-out solo homer by Victor Scott in the fifth was the only blemish against his line. The rookie left-hander has now completed exactly five innings in each of his starts and has been effective in allowing a total of five earned runs. Matthews has earned the chance to remain in the rotation, with his next start scheduled to take place at home against the Blue Jays.
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Takes first big-league loss
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Matthews (1-1) took the loss against San Diego on Monday, allowing five runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out one batter over five innings.
Matthews was given a one-run lead in the top of the first inning, but he allowed the Padres to score twice in the bottom of the frame. The rookie hurler allowed three more runs in the third -- those were all unearned, though the error that led to them was committed by Matthews himself. The right-hander added to the miscue with a pair of walks in the inning, which was very uncharacteristic for him given his minuscule 0.6 BB/9 over 97 frames in the minors this season. Matthews' command has been consistently outstanding throughout his time as a pro, so that aspect of his pitching will likely carry over to the majors. However, he made only four appearances at the Triple-A level (and registered a 5.68 ERA over 19 innings) prior to his call-up to the majors, so fantasy managers would probably be wise to tempter expectations as he adjusts to facing big-league hitters.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: Sticking around in rotation
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Matthews is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Padres at Petco Park.
The Twins called up both Matthews and Louie Varland from Triple-A St. Paul last week to make starts, but after Varland was sent back to the minors following his outing, Matthews will stick around as the fifth member of the big-league rotation. After producing an eye-popping 114:7 K:BB in 97 innings across three stops in the minors this season prior to his call-up, Matthews continued to exhibit sharp control in his MLB debut last Tuesday, striking out five and giving up two earned runs on five hits and no walks over five innings en route to notching a win over the Royals. Matthews tentatively lines up for two starts during the upcoming week, with his second turn set to come next Sunday at home versus the Cardinals.
Matthews (1-0) picked up the win in Tuesday's 13-3 rout of the Royals, giving up two runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.
Making his big-league debut Tuesday, Matthews displayed the impeccable control that was the hallmark of his rapid rise through the minors this year. He fired 49 of 77 pitches for strikes while his offense staked him to a 5-0 lead by the end of the fourth inning. With Chris Paddack (forearm) not expected back until September and Joe Ryan (shoulder) potentially lost for the season, Minnesota has vacancies in its rotation, and Matthews has put together a strong claim for one of those open spots despite the fact that he began 2024 pitching for High-A Cedar Rapids. He lines up to make his next start for the Twins on the road early next week in San Diego.
The Twins selected Matthews' contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday. He'll start Tuesday's game against the Royals.
Matthews will make his MLB debut Tuesday against Kansas City, and if he performs well, could see additional starts due to Joe Ryan (shoulder) and Chris Paddack (forearm) being injured. The 24-year-old was exceptional at Double-A, logging a 1.95 across 55.1 innings, but he's struggled with St. Paul, posting a 5.68 ERA across four starts (19.0 innings). However, he tallied a 23:1 K:BB at Triple-A. He may be worth a look as a streamer in the future, but he carries some risk Tuesday against a solid Royals lineup.
Twins' Zebby Matthews: Receiving promotion to big leagues
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The Twins are expected to call up Matthews from Triple-A St. Paul this week, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Minnesota has an opening in its rotation Tuesday against the Royals, and Matthews looks poised to fill that spot for what will be his MLB debut. The right-hander boasts a 2.60 ERA and 114:7 K:BB over 97 innings covering three stops in the minors in 2024. With Joe Ryan (shoulder) and Chris Paddack (forearm) both expected to miss several more weeks of action, Matthews will have an opportunity to pitch his way into additional starts with the big club.
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Twins' Zebby Matthews: In consideration for rotation
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Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Friday that Matthews is "certainly a name we're talking about" when considering options for the major-league rotation, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
The Twins have lost Joe Ryan to a Grade 2 right teres major strain, and Chris Paddack (forearm) isn't expected back any time soon. Louie Varland is probably ahead of Matthews in the pecking order for the fifth spot in the Twins' rotation right now, but the club will need a spot starter Tuesday versus the Royals and Matthews looks like a possibility to take the ball that day. The 24-year-old began the season at High-A Cedar Rapids but is now at Triple-A St. Paul, having collecting a 2.60 ERA and 114:7 K:BB over 97 innings covering three stops.
