Twins Shake Up Pitching Staff as A.J. Minter Joins Active Roster, Zebby Matthews Optioned

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota's roster makeover continued Saturday. Less than 24 hours after adding another starting pitcher before the trade deadline, the Twins announced another round of transactions ahead of their matchup with the Seattle Mariners. The headline move was expected: newly acquired left-handed reliever A.J. Minter was officially activated. 

To make room on the 26-man roster, the Twins optioned right-hander Zebby Matthews to Triple-A St. Paul. The move isn't necessarily an indictment of Matthews' performance on Friday night. He gave Minnesota five innings, allowed three earned runs, and struck out an impressive 10 hitters against Seattle. However, his overall July results painted a different picture. Across 24 2/3 innings, Matthews posted a 7.66 ERA and 5.69 FIP while recording 23 strikeouts against 14 walks.

With Dean Kremer acquired to bolster the rotation, Matthews became the logical candidate to head back to Triple-A. The timing gives the Twins a fresh bullpen arm in Minter while creating what appears to be a clear opening for Kremer to slide into the starting rotation.

Minnesota also made a change to its 40-man roster, designating right-hander Cody Laweryson for assignment. Laweryson appeared in 15 games for the Twins this season, logging 16 2/3 innings with a 4.86 ERA and 5.08 FIP while striking out 18 and walking eight. Although he flashed intriguing stuff at times, injuries have impacted him this season. A right forearm strain sidelined Laweryson for much of April and May, and after he was optioned to Triple-A in early July, Laweryson has been on the St. Paul injured list since July 19.

His departure immediately created room for another pitcher. Right-hander Garrett Acton was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A St. Paul. Minnesota acquired Acton from the Miami Marlins this spring in exchange for Logan Whitaker, but he has been limited to four appearances after suffering a right shoulder strain that landed him on the injured list at the end of April.

Acton's rehab assignment offered plenty of encouragement. In six innings for St. Paul, he surrendered just one earned run while striking out eight and walking only one. Opponents managed just a .053 batting average against him during that stretch. If the shoulder continues to respond well, Acton could quickly emerge as another bullpen option for a Twins club that has spent the past week aggressively reshaping its pitching staff.

With Minter now in the bullpen, Kremer expected to join the rotation, and additional depth returning from injury, Minnesota's pitching staff looks noticeably different than it did just a few days ago, and the Twins might not be done adding before Monday’s deadline. 

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[Hubie29]

Don't like it. Matthew's has more upside than Prielipp in my opinion. Hell, even more than Kremer.

[Coach]

God, when I saw the headline, I almost filled my pants.  I forgot he could go straight to St. Paul.  Because of his innings worked, I realize (hope) he will be called right back up.

[tony&rodney]

Matthews will be back next week.

[jimbo92107]

Just had a big salad at Taco Bell. Then, I read about Zebby. 

Okay, now I'm stuck in the little boy's room for the next couple days. Was it the lettuce, or Zeb's demotion? There's only one way to be sure: As soon as I get out of this bathroom...I'm going straight back to Taco Bell. Call me a maverick, call me irresponsible, I call it pure investigative science. 

After the initial shock, I have settled down. It's important to take the long view. Matthews is a talented young cuss, but his game could use a bit of refinement. If you remove the pressure of the show for a little while, that could allow him to make a few small, but important adjustments. It's a sure thing that he will be back up, just as sure as I made up going to Taco Bell. Overpriced crap!

[jimbo92107]

2 hours ago, Hubie29 said:

Don't like it. Matthew's has more upside than Prielipp in my opinion. Hell, even more than Kremer.

Two very different pitchers, both of whom I like. Zebby is a big, tough horse, a technician with developing command. Prielipp is a smooth operator, more of a thinker out there. Hard to say which of them will be more successful. Hoping they'll both keep getting better. It's fun watching how different types of pitchers work on getting guys out.