Zebby Matthews Promoted, Starts For Twins Today

[Steve Drumwright]

 

Ready or not, Zebby Matthews is set for his next opportunity at the MLB level.

The right-handed starter was promoted from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday to start the series finale against the Miami Marlins. Outfielder-infielder Ryan Kreidler was also called up from the Saints, with outfielder Matt Wallner and right-hander Travis Adams sent to Triple-A.

We have made the following roster moves:

[image or embed]

— Minnesota Twins (@twinsbaseball.bsky.social) May 14, 2026 at 8:15 AM

The 25-year-old Matthews has made 25 starts over the last two years, including 16 in 2025. But Matthews has posted a 4.41 FIP, which is a stark contrast to his 5.56 ERA, during his time in the majors. His walk (6.6%) and strikeout rates (24.7%) are both a couple points above the MLB average.

In seven starts at Triple-A this year, Matthews has a 4.72 ERA with 11 walks and 33 strikeouts in 34⅓ innings. But he has given up nine homers.

Wallner was coming off a breakthrough 22-homer season in 2025, but was scuffling to begin 2026 with a slash line of .167/.259/.292 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 34 games.

Kreidler is up for the second time this season. He went 3-for-14 in five games with two homers and four RBIs. At St. Paul, Kreidler had a .266/.389/.500 slash line with five homers, 15 RBIs and three steals.

Adams made two relief appearances, giving up three runs in 3⅔ innings with two walks and five strikeouts.

 

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[arby58]

I'm semi-surprised they didn't send down SWR instead. If they don't want to jettison Garcia (incriminating photos of the GM?), why not call up Bowman and send down SWR? Give Matthews a few turns in the rotation - he cannot possibly do worse than SWR, unless you can somehow lose two games in one start.

[Craig Arko]

1 minute ago, arby58 said:

I'm semi-surprised they didn't send down SWR instead. If they don't want to jettison Garcia (incriminating photos of the GM?), why not call up Bowman and send down SWR? Give Matthews a few turns in the rotation - he cannot possibly do worse than SWR, unless you can somehow lose two games in one start.

SWR is out of options.

[arby58]

12 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

SWR is out of options.

And . . . what are you going to do with a pitcher with his record and repertoire? He's had 9 starts, a 7.71 ERA, a WHIP closing in on 2, and a WAR of -1.2. He doesn't really match up with a bullpen role. If somebody claims him, best of luck to them. 

[darin617]

1 hour ago, arby58 said:

And . . . what are you going to do with a pitcher with his record and repertoire? He's had 9 starts, a 7.71 ERA, a WHIP closing in on 2, and a WAR of -1.2. He doesn't really match up with a bullpen role. If somebody claims him, best of luck to them. 

A bullpen move is what should happening next. 

A team would claim him and try to sneak him through waivers. I could see SWR going through 4+ organizations this year.

[arby58]

2 hours ago, darin617 said:

A bullpen move is what should happening next. 

A team would claim him and try to sneak him through waivers. I could see SWR going through 4+ organizations this year.

If the Twins really are 'trying to win' then you wave good bye to the starting pitcher with SWR's numbers, you promote Bowman and put Zebby back in the rotation.

If they really do send Zebby down and give SWR another start, what does that say about the importance of accountability?

[Craig Arko]

5 hours ago, arby58 said:

And . . . what are you going to do with a pitcher with his record and repertoire? He's had 9 starts, a 7.71 ERA, a WHIP closing in on 2, and a WAR of -1.2. He doesn't really match up with a bullpen role. If somebody claims him, best of luck to them. 

I wasn’t actually planning on doing anything; rather leaving that to the people who do it for a living. I expect they won’t make any major change until Bradley is ready to return, but I’ve been wrong before.

[darin617]

1 hour ago, arby58 said:

If the Twins really are 'trying to win' then you wave good bye to the starting pitcher with SWR's numbers, you promote Bowman and put Zebby back in the rotation.

If they really do send Zebby down and give SWR another start, what does that say about the importance of accountability?

I know this sounds bad, but I don't think anyone thinks they are trying to win. If they can win 75-80 games it would be a major accomplishment with the team they have to work with.

They should give SWR a few weeks to figure it out in the bullpen before dumping him. 

The best case scenario is they can dream up some sort of injury and put him on a rehab assignment and see if anything clicks.

You also don't dump a former prospect so quickly when he's not getting a huge salary.