The Minnesota Twins have pushed back lefty Connor Prielipp's next start at least one day, according to The Athletic's Dan Hayes. The top pitching prospect was originally scheduled to start in the series finale against the Miami Marlins on Thursday. While Minnesota has yet to announce who will start Thursday in place of Prielipp, it seems likely to be righty Zebby Matthews. The team could also go with another bullpen game, with lefty Kendry Rojas pitching multiple innings, but starting Matthews would ensure the bullpen isn't overworked.
Matthews began the season on the wrong foot, surrendering five earned runs in each of his first two starts with Triple-A St. Paul. But since then, he's been at his best, posting a 2.67 ERA with 28 strikeouts and seven walks in 27 innings across five starts. Matthews' stuff clearly wasn't the best in his last outing on Friday, allowing 12 baserunners, but he managed to limit the damage by allowing just three earned runs across eight innings.
He becomes the 2nd pitcher in franchise history to complete 8.0 innings joining @Andrew_W_Albers. Zebby Matthews goes 8.0 innings allows 3 runs and strikes out five while throwing 95 pitches, 66 for strikes. Last 5 fastballs: 96.6, 97.0, 96.4, 97.0, 96.8 mph. Fastball avg. 96.1 pic.twitter.com/ygoXofIog0
— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) May 9, 2026
Matthews has posted a 5.92 ERA in 117 innings across 25 MLB appearances. The righty had an elite 24.7% strikeout rate and 6.6% walk rate in his two big-league seasons. Last season, his fastball averaged 96.2 mph (80th percentile) while he posted above-average chase (30.2%) and whiff rates (27.5%). Matthews clearly has the potential to be a big-league starter even though his results haven't been great. The Twins will likely give him one more chance to be in their starting rotation. If he struggles in a starting role again, then Minnesota may consider converting him to a reliever.
Matthews may have one more shot in Twins' starting rotation
With starters Mick Abel and Taj Bradley sidelined with injuries, and Simeon Woods Richardson struggling significantly this season, it's a good time for the Twins to give Matthews another opportunity to start in the big leagues. For now, Matthews could simply take Bradley's spot in the rotation. Matthews may have made the start during Bradley's last turn in the rotation (Sunday) if he hadn't pitched for St. Paul two days earlier.
If Matthews ends up taking Bradley's spot in the Twins' rotation for the time being, he would join a rotation of Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Prielipp and Woods Richardson. When Abel or Bradley is reinstated from the injured list, Matthews could remain in the rotation (assuming he does end up being promoted this week) if he looks sharp in the majors this time around. Unless another starting pitcher suffers an injury, which we all know could easily occur, then Woods Richardson, who is out of minor-league options, may be moved to the bullpen.
Since Prielipp's 82 2/3 innings last season marked the highest of his career, and he's already logged 34 2/3 innings in 2026, the Twins could also roll with a six-man rotation when Abel or Bradley return. Prielipp has tossed just 175 1/3 innings since his freshman year with Alabama (2020) because of numerous injuries.
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