Zebby Matthews Fantasy Stats

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews has impressed through three big-league starts this year, and he has emerged as an intriguing pitcher to add in fantasy baseball leagues. Matthews was called up to the majors on May 14, and although he posted a 5.50+ ERA in each of his first two seasons, he's off to a much better start in 2026. Through three starts this year, he owns a 2.37 ERA and 3.59 xFIP with 8.05 K/9, 0.95 BB/9, and 1.42 HR/9. While we'd like to see a couple more strikeouts and fewer home runs, we're in awe over the walk rate. Limiting walks has always been one of Matthews' strengths, but he has taken his control to a new level this year. As long as he continues to pitch at a high level, he'll remain a key bullpen piece for the Twins while offering tremendous upside in fantasy baseball. There's still time for managers to reap the rewards of Matthews' promising start, as he remains available to be added in 71% of leagues.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews has been highly effective in two starts since being recalled from Triple-A. Through two games (13.0 innings) in the majors this year, Matthews has a 1.38 ERA with one walk and 11 strikeouts. The 26-year-old profiles as a starter who is highly dependent on their breaking ball, and while Matthews' curveball and slider metrics are terrific, we're also impressed that he has kept his fastball velocity around 96 mph. Although Matthews isn't the flashiest name, his modest strikeout total, low walk total, and ability to pitch deep into games should generate some fantasy appeal, especially as managers look to upgrade and perfect their rosters here in late May. He's a waiver wire option for the vast majority of fantasy managers, as he's currently rostered in less than 20% of fantasy baseball leagues.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews took the loss on Tuesday against the visiting Houston Astros at Target Field, but he had another promising performance in his second start this year in the big leagues. The 25-year-old allowed two earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out six in six innings of work. In his two starts for the Twins, the former eighth-round selection out of Western Carolina in 2022 has a 1.38 ERA (2.65 FIP) and 0.77 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and only one walk in 13 innings pitched against the Astros and Miami Marlins. Matthews settled in nicely after allowing a two-run homer to Isaac Paredes in the first inning, and he threw 66 of his 100 pitches for strikes on the evening. He is scheduled for a two-start week next week, with his first matchup coming against the Chicago White Sox, so he should become more popular off the waiver wire going into Week 9 of the fantasy baseball season. Matthews is only rostered in 26% of Yahoo leagues and deserves a look for his solid control and strikeout upside.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews should generate some waiver-wire interest after he impressed in his first start of the 2026 season in a win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday in the series finale. Matthews threw seven shutout innings with four hits allowed, one walk, and five strikeouts. The 25-year-old was called up so that the Twins could push left-handed pitching prospect Connor Prielipp back to manage his innings. If the Twins decide to keep Matthews around, he should be considered off the waiver wire in deeper leagues. The former eighth-round pick in 2022 out of Western Carolina threw 56 of his 83 pitches for strikes in his first big-league outing of the year. In his first two seasons with the Twins, Matthews really struggled, posting a 5.92 ERA (4.41 FIP) and 1.54 WHIP with 131 strikeouts, 35 walks, and 23 home runs allowed in 117 innings across his 25 starts. Despite his unsavory results in the big leagues before this season, there is intrigue with Matthews because of his strong control, high strikeout rates in the minors, and high-end velocity. He's rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews will get the call for the Twins on Thursday afternoon in their series finale against the Marlins. The 25-year-old righty went 5-6 with a 5.56 ERA last year in 16 starts, but his 3.79 FIP and 10.0 K/9 indicate he has the potential for even more fantasy production going forward. In seven starts in Triple-A this year, Matthews had a 4.72 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings. He remains an intriguing talent with high strikeout potential, but his results have been very inconsistent in the majors last year and at Triple-A this year. He's a high-risk waiver pickup in standard-sized leagues, but he does have the potential to produce. As part of Thursday's roster moves, the Twins also optioned struggling lefty Matt Wallner, who posted a .167/.259/.292 slash line with a 39 percent strikeout rate. The slugger could return later in the summer if he gets going, but he can be dropped in most leagues for now. Mathews holds intriguing streaming potential in deeper 12+ team leagues given his strikeout potential.

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).