Twins Bolster Rotation and Roster with New Additions
The Minnesota Twins have made strategic moves in their roster, including the addition of right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews to the rotation for Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Matthews, 24, closed last season in the Twins’ rotation, recording a 1-4 record with a 6.69 ERA in nine starts. In his time with St. Paul, he has shown a remarkable performance, with a 2-1 record and an impressive 1.93 ERA in seven starts.
Matthews’ performance in St. Paul includes 38 strikeouts and nine walks in 32⅔ innings.
In addition to Matthews, the Twins, who enter Sunday’s game on a 13-game winning streak, also selected the contract of outfielder Carson McCusker.
McCusker, 26, has yet to debut in the Major Leagues. The 6-foot-8-inch, 250-pound player has had an outstanding season in St. Paul, batting .350 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs in 38 games.
Matthews will face the challenge of maintaining the Twins’ streak of solid pitching, who have achieved three consecutive shutouts, including the first two of the series against the Brewers. Minnesota enters Sunday with a collective ERA of 3.15, ranking third in the majors.
The active streak of 33 consecutive innings without allowing runs is the longest in Twins history since 1961. Although they had longer streaks when they were the Washington Senators, the most recent of those streaks was in 1913.
To make room for Matthews’ arrival, the Twins placed reliever Danny Coulombe on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Thursday, due to a left forearm strain. Coulombe has not allowed a run this season in 16⅔ innings.
To make room for McCusker, the Twins transferred rookie Luke Keaschall to the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Keaschall fractured his right forearm on April 25 against the Los Angeles Angels.
