Zebby Matthews’ Foot Injury Could Force Twins Into a Bullpen Decision

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins are in a tricky position as they try to remain on the fringes of the American League playoff race. Every roster decision carries additional weight, especially when it involves a young pitcher who could help the team in multiple roles. Zebby Matthews currently occupies one of the five spots in Minnesota's starting rotation. But there is a growing argument that his best opportunity to help the Twins down the stretch might come in the bullpen.

The question isn't necessarily whether Matthews can move to the bullpen. The Twins could make that decision at any point. The bigger question is whether they should make it now. His body might be starting to provide the answer.

Matthews Can't Escape His Foot Problems

Matthews' ongoing foot issues continue to complicate his season, and there doesn't appear to be an easy solution. After taking the mound to warm up for the sixth inning on Friday, Matthews exited his start when the blister on his right foot began bleeding. It was the same issue that ended his July 4 outing at Yankee Stadium.

"That mound in New York was rock-hard because of how hot it was, and he ripped it open," Derek Shelton said. "We're trying to laser it to get it to the point where it's manageable. It's manageable, but the wear and tear of multiple pitches rips it off."

The Twins have attempted to find solutions. Matthews is wearing a pitching toe, an application designed to protect the shoe from wearing through as he drags his foot across the dirt. Unfortunately, the problem keeps returning. Matthews summed up his frustration simply: "We keep covering it, and it keeps ripping."

That is a difficult problem for a starting pitcher. Matthews has to take the mound every fifth day, leaving very little time for the injury to heal completely. Instead, he has been forced to pitch through it and hope he can make it through his outing. At some point, the Twins have to consider whether repeatedly asking him to pitch every fifth day is doing more harm than good.

When Can the Twins Make the Move?

The good news for Minnesota is that there are several paths to moving Matthews into the bullpen. The simplest could come when Joe Ryan returns from his glute strain. Ryan's return could open the door for Matthews to transition into a relief role without forcing the Twins to completely reshape their rotation. There are no guarantees Ryan, who reportedly played catch on flat ground earlier this week, will immediately be ready to take on a full workload, but his return would give Minnesota another established starting option.

There are other possibilities, too. Minnesota could use Matthews and Connor Prielipp in a piggyback arrangement. One pitcher could handle the first few innings before handing the ball to the other, allowing the Twins to manage both workloads while reducing the pressure on Matthews to consistently complete five or six innings.

The Twins could also simply decide that Matthews' stuff plays better in shorter bursts and move him into a traditional relief role. From a roster standpoint, the Twins have options.

When Should the Twins Make the Move?

This is where things get more complicated. Matthews' arsenal makes a bullpen transition intriguing even without the foot problems. He has been significantly better the first time through a lineup, allowing a .780 OPS, compared to a .854 OPS the second time batters see him. That's not unusual for a young starting pitcher, but it highlights why his stuff could become more dangerous in a relief role.

He also has the type of fastball that could benefit from a little extra velocity. Matthews' four-seam fastball averages 95.2 mph. If a move to the bullpen allows him to push that number higher, even by a couple of ticks, it could make his entire arsenal more effective. That could be especially important considering he's allowed a .505 slugging percentage this season.

His slider provides another reason to be intrigued. Matthews throws the pitch more than 20% of the time, and it has produced a 34.5% whiff rate. That's the kind of pitch that could become a major weapon when Matthews doesn't have to worry about conserving it for a longer outing.

He has used six pitches this season. As a starter, that versatility is valuable. As a reliever, it might be unnecessary. The Twins could ask Matthews to simplify his approach. Throw his best fastball. Throw his best slider. Mix in whatever else is necessary. Attack hitters knowing he doesn't have to face the same lineup three times.

That could turn Matthews into a very different pitcher. And potentially a very effective one.

Is It Already Too Late?

This is where the playoff race enters the equation. The Twins aren't in a position where they can casually sacrifice innings. Every game matters, and the rotation still needs dependable arms.

If Ryan returns healthy, the decision becomes easier. If Ryan isn't ready, Minnesota may need Matthews to remain stretched out. If Ryan struggles after returning, the Twins might also decide they can't afford to remove another starting option from the rotation.

But the foot injury changes the equation. If Matthews continues to rip open the same injury every time he takes the mound, the Twins need to ask whether keeping him in the rotation is actually helping the team. There is little value in having Matthews available as a starter if he can't consistently get through his outings.

A healthy Matthews throwing two or three high-quality innings out of the bullpen could ultimately provide more value than an injured Matthews trying to grind through five innings every fifth day. That might be the most important consideration of all.

Minnesota has already had to ask a lot from Matthews this season because of its pitching injuries. Now, with the playoff race tightening and his foot refusing to cooperate, the Twins need to determine whether continuing to use him as a starter is the best for the player and the team. 

With Matthews scheduled to start today's series finale against Baltimore, we may have a clearer idea of the best path forward.

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When should the Twins move Zebby Matthews to the bullpen? Is it already too late? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

 

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[tarheeltwinsfan]

Here's hoping Mathews will continue to toe the rubber and put his best foot forward.

[tony&rodney]

Matthews needs to be able to go 5-7 innings. If he is removed or ineffective due to the injury today, he will be replaced by Kendry Rojas next time his spot comes up in the rotation.