The Minnesota Twins have finally made the roster move fans have been begging for, optioning struggling outfielder Matt Wallner to Triple-A St. Paul, according to Twins insider Aaron Gleeman. Additionally, Minnesota has demoted right-handed reliever Travis Adams to Triple-A. As corresponding moves, the Twins have recalled utilityman Ryan Kreidler and right-handed starting pitcher Zebby Matthews, who will make the start in the rubber match against the Miami Marlins today.
Wallner, 28, has posted an awful .167/.259/.292 (58 wRC+) slash line with a 39.3% strikeout rate in 34 games this season. The outfielder has also struggled mightily defensively, recording -8 Defensive Runs Saved, tied with Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz for the worst mark in MLB. In 2023, Wallner posted 3 OAA in right field. He recorded 0 at the position in 2024 before posting -6 last season.
Wallner had to be so hopelessly bad to be sent back down considering nobody is healthy in Triple-A to take his job, but he did it. Gotta wonder if that's it for him in MN. If ERod comes back soon he should be ahead in line for a call up. https://t.co/BSxpbX4obw
— Cody Pirkl (@CodyPirkl) May 14, 2026
You gotta send Matt Wallner out. There's just no benefit to letting him push through this in the big leagues.
— Brandon Warne (@Brandon_Warne) May 14, 2026
In 2023, Wallner slashed .249/.370/.507 (144 wRC+) with 14 homers and 41 RBI in 76 games. He put up good numbers in 2024 as well, hitting .259/.372/.523 (154 wRC+) with 13 homers and 37 RBI in 75 games. However, despite his strong numbers in those two seasons, his streakiness led to several minor-league stints. Wallner's numbers regressed in a career-high 104 games last season. However, they were still solid; Wallner hit .202/.311/.464 (114 wRC+) with 22 home runs and 40 RBI in 2025.
Kreidler, 28, isn't the most exciting option to take Wallner's roster spot, but the utilityman has proved he deserves another MLB opportunity. Kreidler had 18 plate appearances across five games with the Twins earlier this season, hitting two home runs and a double with four walks and four RBI. In 26 games with Triple-A St. Paul this season, Kreidler has slashed .266/.389/.500 (129 wRC+) with five homers and 15 RBI.
Matthews gets another MLB opportunity after strong stretch in Triple-A
Matthews' promotion is an exciting development. The starter allowed five earned runs in each of his first two starts with Triple-A St. Paul. In five starts after that, he posted a 2.67 ERA with 28 strikeouts and seven walks over 27 innings. While Matthews has a rough 5.92 ERA in 117 innings across 25 MLB appearances, he has a 24.7% strikeout rate and 6.6% walk rate in the majors. Last season, his fastball averaged 96.2 mph (80th percentile) while he posted above-average chase (30.2%) and whiff rates (27.5%).
Adams made just two big-league appearances after being recalled on Saturday, surrendering three earned runs on six hits and two walks across 3 2/3 innings. The righty will likely return to the majors later in the year.
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