Zebby Matthews Fantasy Stats

The Minnesota Twins optioned right-hander Zebby Matthews to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, according to Betsy Helfand of the Pioneer Press. Even with Pablo Lopez (elbow) injured, Matthews won't make the team's Opening Day starting rotation, paving the way for right-hander Mick Abel to make the team. The 25-year-old struggled again in 2025 in his second time in the big leagues, going 5-6 with a 5.56 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with 88 strikeouts and 24 walks in 79 1/3 innings over his 16 starts, but his underlying metrics painted a different picture. The former eighth-rounder looked great at St. Paul, posting a 1.72 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and only nine walks in 36 2/3 innings. Matthews has a wide range of fantasy outcomes in 2026, but for now, since he's starting in the minors, he's mainly just a stash candidate with plenty of upside in AL-only and dynasty/keeper leagues. Matthews should be Minnesota's first option for a call-up if a rotation arm is needed early this season.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews could be a candidate for the No. 5 starting rotation spot to begin the 2026 season now that right-hander Pablo Lopez (elbow) will likely miss the entire season, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com. Taj Bradley and Simeon Woods Richardson were the favorites for the fourth and fifth spots in the Opening Day rotation, but a new spot has emerged in Minnesota due to Lopez's injury. In 16 starts for the Twins last year, Matthews struggled to a 5.56 ERA (3.79 FIP) and 1.49 WHIP with 88 strikeouts and 24 walks in 79 1/3 innings over his 16 starts. The former eighth-round pick in 2022 out of Western Carolina University also struggled to a 6.69 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in his first nine big-league starts in 2024. Under the hood, Matthews showed promise with plenty of velocity and above-average strikeout and walk rates. A high .357 BABIP and 3.79 FIP indicate bad luck. Given another opportunity in 2026, don't be surprised if Matthews turns things around.

Minnesota Twins right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews (shoulder) is slated to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list and start Saturday's contest against the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander has been held out of action since June due to a right shoulder strain. However, Matthews needed just one rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul to prove he was ready to return to the big leagues. In this outing, the Western Carolina product struck out an impressive nine hitters across four shutout innings against the potent Iowa Cubs. Earlier in the season, Matthews flashed high strikeout upside in Minnesota (30.1% K rate) but held a modest 5.21 ERA. Given his high strikeout potential, he is worth adding in all standard leagues ahead of his start on Saturday. He is also a top streaming option facing the Rockies.

Minnesota Twins Zebby Matthews (shoulder) struck out nine and allowed no hits and one walk over four shutout innings in Sunday's rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul. This was the first time on the mound for Matthews since June 4 while recovering from a shoulder strain. His fastball topped out at around 97 to 98 mph. The 25-year-old went (1-1) with a 5.21 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 25:8 K:BB in only 19 innings over his first four starts for the Twins. Matthews could be headed back to the majors soon after the All-Star break, and fantasy managers in 12+ team leagues should continue to stash him for the second half.

Minnesota Twins pitcher Zebby Matthews (shoulder) threw four shutout innings with nine strikeouts, no walks, and one hit allowed in his start Sunday for Triple-A St. Paul. His fastball reached 97-98 mph, and he got 12 outs on 56 pitches. It might be a one-and-done rehab assignment, depending on the Twins' rotation plan out of the break, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports. Matthews, regarded as one of the top Twins pitching prospects, injured his shoulder in early June, and after the outing he put together on Sunday, he could return to the starting rotation after the All-Star break. The Twins have yet to announce this, but with their rotation struggling due to Bailey Ober (hip) and Pablo Lopez (shoulder) being on the injured list, Matthews could be asked to rejoin the rotation right away with the Twins battling for a wild-card spot. Thus far with the Twins, Matthews owns an impressive 11.54 K/9 through 19 innings pitched. However, that is supported with a 5.21 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. That being said, his advanced metrics show signs of positive regression (3.65 xERA).

Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday. Matthews has been down since June 5 with a strained right shoulder. The 25-year-old made four starts before going on the 15-day injured list and registered an unappealing 5.21 ERA and 1.47 BB/9 in 19 innings, though he did amass 25 strikeouts against eight walks. Matthews could factor back into Minnesota's rotation later this month if he gets through his rehab unscathed.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews (shoulder) threw live batting practice before the team's 8-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. Matthews hadn't faced hitters since going on the 15-day injured list on June 5 with shoulder strain. The 25-year-old made four starts and posted a bloated 5.21 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP across 19 innings before landing on the shelf. To his credit, Matthews did strike out an impressive 25 hitters while walking eight in that span. Matthews figures to need a rehab assignment before rejoining the Twins' rotation, but he could return later this month.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a third bullpen session on Sunday as he works his way back from a shoulder strain that has kept him out since June 5. After that, the righty is expected to face live hitters next week so long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks. The 25-year-old pitched well at Triple-A this season before being recalled, but recorded a 5.21 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in four starts for Minnesota, although the 20.5 percent K-BB% was strong. Nevertheless, with Pablo Lopez and Bailey Ober also dealing with injuries, the Twins could surely use Matthews back in the rotation. Expect him to begin a rehab assignment in the coming weeks and the 6-foot-5 hurler to return to action after the All-Star break. With the strikeout potential, if he can clean up the ERA and WHIP when he returns, Matthews could be worthy of a roster spot in most 12-team leagues down the stretch.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session at Target Field on Sunday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Matthews was diagnosed with a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder on June 8 and has been on the injured list since. Matthews, a 25-year-old right-hander, is one of the Twins' top pitching prospects, so they are likely to slow-play his recovery rather than rush him back into action. Throwing a bullpen on Sunday suggests that Matthews and the Twins are ready to start ramping up the process, and he will likely continue to throw a few additional bullpens before facing live batters or beginning a rehab stint. In the meantime, David Festa has been called up in Matthews' absence and had a nice start against the Tigers on Friday night, going 5 2/3 shutout innings.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews (shoulder) has been diagnosed with a moderate subscapularis strain in his right shoulder and will be re-evaluated after not throwing for around two weeks, according to The Athletic's Aaron Gleeman. We'll have a clearer picture of when Matthews might be able to return from the 15-day injured list, but it most likely won't happen until after the All-Star break in mid-July. While the 25-year-old is out, Simeon Woods Richardson will get another opportunity to hold down a starting-rotation spot in Minnesota. Matthews had a rough 6.69 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in his first nine big-league starts a year ago in 2024 and has posted an ERA over 5.00 with a 1.47 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB in his four starts in 2025 before going on the shelf. He showed plenty of strikeout stuff and good control in the minors, but so far he's struggled with home runs in the majors.