MLB Player News

The Twins could recall Matthews and install him as part of a temporary six-man rotation, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

David Festa is expected to be promoted to start Friday, filling the rotation spot vacated by Pablo Lopez (hamstring). However, Matthews is a candidate to get a look in the majors soon as well as the Twins look to build in some extra rest for their other starters. Matthews has been dynamite in his first two starts with Triple-A St. Paul this season, allowing two runs with a 13:1 K:BB over 10 innings. It's not yet clear when he might start for the Twins, but he's a good candidate to stash in fantasy leagues where he's still available.

Gibson struck out four batters and allowed one earned run on three hits and no walks over 3.1 innings in his season debut for Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Due to his late signing in spring training, Gibson didn't have enough time to get fully stretched out prior to Opening Day, prompting the Orioles to option him to Triple-A. Gibson remained at the Orioles' spring facility in Florida for the first two weeks of the minor-league season to continue ramping up before he was cleared to report to Norfolk for his 2025 debut. The 37-year-old righty was efficient in the outing, spotting 33 of his 47 pitches for strikes. He'll likely need to build up to around 70 to 80 pitches before becoming a rotation option for Baltimore, so expect him to make at least two or three more starts at Triple-A. With Zach Eflin (lat) landing on the injured list Wednesday and lacking a clear timeline for a return, Gibson should have a fairly clear path to a rotation spot once he's deemed ready to join the big club, likely in late April or early May.

The Mariners optioned Castillo to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.

Castillo's time with the big-league club was less than spectacular, as he'll head back to the minors after giving up seven runs (six earned) over seven total innings alongside a 5:7 K:BB. With George Kirby (shoulder) not expected back until May, the Mariners are again left with an opening in their rotation, and it's currently unclear who will be chosen next to fill the gap.

The Twins are expected to promote Festa from Triple-A St. Paul to start Friday's game against the Tigers, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The Twins have an opening in their rotation with Pablo Lopez (hamstring) expected to land on the 15-day injured list. Lopez's next turn would have come Sunday, but the club is electing to bring Festa up Friday and push Chris Paddack and Simeon Woods Richardson each back a day. Festa has permitted six runs (five earned) with an 8:2 K:BB over 8.1 innings in his first two starts with St. Paul this season. He's a candidate to receive additional starts while Lopez is out, although the Twins could also give Zebby Matthews a look.

Whitley (knee) tossed a scoreless inning Wednesday in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Sugar Land.

Whitley got a late start to the season due to a left knee bone bruise that he suffered in early March. The big right-hander will likely require a handful of rehab outings before returning from the 15-day injured list.

Bello (shoulder) will make a third rehab start Friday for Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Bello threw 56 pitches over 3.1 innings for Worcester over the weekend and will look to increase his workload Friday. The Red Sox will evaluate the right-hander following the rehab start, but manager Alex Cora suggested that Bello could require another outing in the minors after that before being ready to return from the 15-day injured list. Bello has been pitching on a four-day rest schedule between starts, so a fourth rehab outing would put him on track to come off the IL as soon as April 21.

Giolito (hamstring) allowed one earned run on three hits and three walks while striking out three over 3.1 innings for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Giolito worked the second game of a seven-inning doubleheader for Worcester. He threw 64 pitches, with 30 of those coming in the first inning. The right-hander is expected to make at least one more rehab start before the Red Sox decide whether to activate him from the 15-day injured list, though manager Alex Cora suggested that he's leaning toward having Giolito make a fourth rehab start prior to rejoining the big-league rotation, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Giolito missed most of his first season with the Red Sox in 2024 while recovering from an internal brace surgery on his elbow, but it's a left hamstring strain that has delayed his 2025 debut.

Lugo (1-1) took the loss against Minnesota on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters over 5.2 innings.

Lugo nearly got through the outing with a one-run quality start, but after retiring the first two batters he faced in the sixth, he gave up a double, issued an intentional walk and yielded a single to surrender a second run before getting the hook. The veteran righty would have taken the loss even if that run wouldn't have scored, though, as the Royals were unable to cross the plate against Joe Ryan and a pair of Twins relievers. Lugo has been steady but unspectacular to begin the campaign, posting a 3.24 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB over 16.2 frames across three starts. His next appearance lines up as a tough matchup on the road against the Yankees early next week.

Matthews appears to be the leading candidate to receive a call-up from Triple-A St. Paul and enter the Minnesota rotation if Pablo Lopez (hamstring) is placed on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Matthews made a start for St. Paul on Tuesday, so he would line up to fill in for Lopez's spot in the rotation Sunday against Detroit. Matthews has a 1.80 ERA with a 13:1 K:BB in 10 innings at Triple-A. He reached the big leagues for the first time in 2024 and struck out 43 batters over 37.2 innings, but he served up 11 home runs and finished with a 6.69 ERA and 1.65 WHIP.

Ryan (1-1) earned the win Wednesday, allowing two hits with no walks over seven scoreless innings against the Royals. He struck out four.

Ryan struggled a bit in his second start by allowing four runs over five innings against Houston. He pitched in warmer weather Wednesday than in his previous starts, which he said helped him stay loose. He hasn't walked a batter in 17 innings this season and lowered his ERA to 2.65.