Twins dealt another brutal injury to a starting pitcher as star reliever returns

Minnesota Twins v Seattle Mariners
Minnesota Twins v Seattle Mariners | Stephen Brashear/GettyImages

Zebby Matthews lands on Injured List as Danny Coulombe returns

Just five days after Pablo López suffered a Grade 2 teres major muscle strain following posting an outstanding 2.82 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 14 walks across 60 ⅔ innings, the Twins announced that Zebby Matthews, who has a 5.21 ERA with 25 strikeouts and eight walks in 19 innings over four starts for the Twins this season, will be placed on the 15-day Injured List with a right shoulder strain and Danny Coulombe, who has been sidelined since May 18, was reinstated from the 15-day IL.

Coulombe’s reinstatement from the IL came after a successful rehab appearance with the St. Paul Saints on Friday, where he pitched a scoreless inning on nine pitches against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Coulombe has yet to allow a run in 16 ⅔ innings this season, the second-longest active scoreless innings streak in Major League Baseball. He has only allowed eight hits and two walks while collecting 19 strikeouts over 19 appearances for Minnesota.

Matthews landing on the IL is a brutal blow for the Twins, especially given the López injury. The need to trade for a starting pitcher is now more pressing for Minnesota, as Randy Dobnak or a pitcher who has yet to make their MLB debut would likely be next in line to earn a promotion if another Twins starting pitcher goes down. Notable starting pitchers who may be on the trade block are Sandy Alcantara, Tyler Mahle, Mitch Keller and Merril Kelly.

The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman reported that it “sounds like” Simeon Woods Richardson, who had a 5.02 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 14 walks in 37 ⅔ innings with the Twins before getting demoted to Triple-A St. Paul on May 15, will replace Matthews’ spot in the Twins’ rotation. When the Twins replace Matthew's spot in the rotation, Jorge Alcala or Travis Adams will likely lose their roster spot.

Minnesota Twins aim to avoid series sweep against Toronto Blue Jays

The series finale of a three-game series between the Twins and Blue Jays is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. CT on Sunday. The scheduled starting pitchers are righties Joe Ryan for the Twins and Bowden Francis for the Blue Jays.

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