As the Minnesota Twins continue to navigate their way through the injuries to Pablo López and Zebby Mathews, they are turning to Simeon Woods Richardson to fill the void in the starting rotation following Mathews' shoulder strain. The Twins officially announced on Tuesday that Woods Richardson was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul, with pitching prospect Travis Adams optioned as the corresponding move.
In need of a fresh arm for their weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Twins turned to Adams to keep a spot warm in the bullpen. Despite being with the team over the weekend, Adams failed to make an appearance meaning, at least for now, Adams' Major League debut is on hold. He'll remain a phantom big-leaguer.
The plan is for Woods Richardson to take Matthews' spot in the rotation. Fortunately for the Twins, whereas López is expected to be sidelined for 8-12 weeks, Matthews' shoulder strain isn't as severe. However, the Twins have yet to reveal the exact timeline for when Matthews could return.
Simeon Woods Richardson returns to the Twins' rotation in latest roster shuffle
After posting a 4.17 ERA with the Twins in 28 starts last season, his first full season at the Major League level, Woods Richardson is still trying to figure things out in the big leagues. In his previous run on the Major League level this season, Woods Richardson posted a 5.02 ERA in 37.2 innings pitched. In three starts at the Triple-A level this season, Woods Richardson has an ERA of 4.24.
If nothing else, Woods Richardson will be able to eat innings for the Twins as they look for potential external solutions. With the Major League Baseball trade deadline less than two months away, it's become clear that the Twins will be in the market for a starting pitcher. Given their situation, the Twins will likely be in the market for cost-effective options instead of pitchers at the top of the trade market, such as Sandy Alcantara.
Woods Richardson will be starting for the Twins on Tuesday night when they open a three-game set against the Texas Rangers. A Texas native, Woods Richardson is also scheduled to be the starter during the Twins' series against the Houston Astros this weekend.