Twins Put Zebby Matthews on 15-Day IL as Danny Coulombe Returns: What This Means for the Team

The Twins recently announced that Zebby Matthews, a right-handed pitcher, has been placed on the 15-day injured list. This injury, affecting his throwing shoulder, was retroactively noted to start on June 5. In a related move, the Twins welcomed back Danny Coulombe, a left-handed pitcher, from the same IL.

This news about Matthews came as a surprise. He had just posted his best performance of the season, limiting the A’s to just one run in a recent game. Despite this strong showing, Matthews’ ERA stands at 5.21 for the season. However, advanced metrics suggest he’s actually pitched better than that stat implies, indicating he deserves a break.

With Matthews sidelined and Pablo Lopez still out, the Twins are scrambling for pitching depth. David Festa has stepped in for Lopez, but he’ll likely be joined in the rotation by Simeon Woods Richardson, who is expected to be called up from Triple-A. Unfortunately, both pitchers have struggled this season, putting even more pressure on Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and Chris Paddack to perform well.

This raises the question: will the Twins seek help from the trade market or waivers? As the trade deadline approaches, their need for depth may grow, especially if Matthews’ injury turns out to be serious.

On a brighter note, the bullpen is getting stronger with Coulombe’s return. He hasn’t allowed any earned runs in 16.2 innings this season, showcasing impressive stats with a low walk rate and a high strikeout rate. Before his activation, the team had been missing a left-hander in the bullpen.

In another update, Michael Tonkin has restarted his rehab assignments. He pitched a scoreless inning for Triple-A Saint Paul recently. Tonkin has faced setbacks this season, including a mild rotator cuff strain and biceps tendinitis.

In football terms, the Twins are in a bit of a tight spot. Injuries happen, but how teams respond can make or break a season. With some upcoming games and a tight race in their division, the Twins’ ability to adapt will be critical.

Additionally, recent statistics show that teams facing similar injury challenges typically see a drop in performance. According to a study by the National Sports Injury and Research Institute, teams affected by pitching injuries often struggle, especially in clutch games. This makes the Twins’ current situation all the more pressing.

As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the Twins manage their roster and cope with these shifts. Their focus will need to be on strategic pitching decisions moving forward.



Source link

danny coulombe,michael tonkin,zebby matthews