Shoemaker agreed to a contract Friday with the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, Sports Hochi reports.
After a rough season with Minnesota in which he posted an 8.06 ERA over 16 appearances (11 starts), the veteran right-hander will move overseas with the hope of extending his career. Shoemaker could consider a move back to affiliated ball if he fares well in Japan in 2022.
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Giants' Matt Shoemaker: Lands minor-league deal
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Shoemaker signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Saturday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.
Shoemaker was released by the Twins on Monday after he recorded a career-worst 8.06 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 60.1 innings with the major-league club in 2021. The right-hander will serve as organizational depth for San Francisco and is a candidate to join the major-league pitching staff if he can show improved results in the minors.
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Matt Shoemaker: Cut by Minnesota
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The Twins released Shoemaker on Monday.
Shoemaker was designated for assignment by Minnesota on July 1 and he later accepted an assignment to Triple-A St. Paul after clearing waivers. He pitched well in four Triple-A appearances, posting a 1.80 ERA, 17:8 K:BB and 1.00 WHIP across 20 innings. Now a free agent, the veteran right-hander could attract interest from clubs looking to add pitching depth down the stretch.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Goes unclaimed on waivers
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Shoemaker cleared waivers Monday and accepted his assignment to Triple-A St. Paul, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Unsurprisingly, the righty, with his miserable 8.06 ERA through 60.1 innings this season, wasn't a hot commodity on waivers and will look to regain his confidence with St. Paul. If Shoemaker can pitch effectively in the minors, he may find himself back in the Twins' thin rotation once again at some point this season.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Designated for assignment
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Shoemaker was designated for assignment by the Twins on Thursday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Shoemaker was hit hard Wednesday and gave up eight runs on seven hits and two walks in 2.2 innings against the White Sox. The right-hander was never able to get into a rhythm across the first half of the season, as he posted an 8.06 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 60.1 innings across 16 appearances (11 starts). Right-hander Derek Law's contract was selected from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Secures win in extras
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Shoemaker (3-8) picked up the win in Monday's 7-5 extra-innings victory over the Reds, walking two batters and striking out three over two hitless, scoreless innings of relief.
The righty entered the game to begin the 11th inning and wound up tossing 22 of 32 pitches for strikes. Shoemaker was rewarded for his efforts when Miguel Sano launched a walkoff shot in the 12th. It's his first win since May 7, which was also the last time he had a scoreless outing, and Shoemaker's 7.31 ERA and 1.61 WHIP will keep him in a long-relief role for now.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Moving to bullpen
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Shoemaker won't start Friday against the Astros as originally scheduled but will be available out of the bullpen, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
The Twins had reason to believe they'd be getting at least a competent back-end starter when they signed Shoemaker over the winter, as he'd recorded a 3.77 ERA in 18 starts over the previous three seasons. They haven't gotten anything close to that, however, as he owns a 7.28 ERA in 11 starts. His strikeout rate has plummeted to 14.5 percent, well below his previous career low of 20.4 percent, while his 9.0 percent walk rate is his worst mark since his five-inning debut back in 2015. Bailey Ober will start in his place Friday and will likely be pitching for the chance to remain in the rotation.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Staying in rotation for now
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Shoemaker is staying in the Twins' starting rotation despite his recent struggles, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Shoemaker has struggled mightily of late, with his most recent start resulting in a disastrous eight earned runs in just one-third of an inning. He'll remain in the Minnesota rotation for the time being, however, with his next start scheduled for Thursday against the Yankees.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Tagged for nine runs
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Shoemaker (2-7) recorded just one out after allowing nine runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one batter in a brutal loss to the Royals on Friday.
Shoemaker allowed the first five batters to reach before striking out Kelvin Gutierrez for the only out he recorded in Friday's start. The next four batters he faced all got on base and he was finally pulled after allowing a three-run homer to Whit Merrifield to cap off a nine-run first inning for the Royals. Shoemaker's previous career-high was seven earned runs allowed in a game and he broke that in excruciating fashion. He's given up a combined 14 runs over his last two starts and it's time to wonder if he's pitched for the Twins for the final time.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Coughs up five runs
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Shoemaker (2-6) took the loss Sunday, allowing five runs on six hits and a walk with five strikeouts in 4.1 innings versus Kansas City.
Shoemaker was solid through four innings before falling apart in the fifth. He was responsible for all four runs in the fifth after Caleb Thielbar allowed two inherited runners to score. The 34-year-old Shoemaker has taken a loss in three of his last four outings. He has a 5.90 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 33:19 K:BB across 50.1 innings. The right-hander lines up for a rematch with Kansas City in next weekend's series.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Yields one run in no-decision
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Shoemaker allowed a run on five hits and two walks over six innings in Monday's win over Baltimore. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.
After coughing up an RBI double to Anthony Santander in the first inning, Shoemaker kept the Orioles off the board for the rest of his outing. He allowed a few runners in scoring position but left the game with a 2-1 lead. The 34-year-old righty has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his last four starts, lowering his ERA to 5.48. Shoemaker is currently projected to face the Royals at home this weekend.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Dealt loss in quality start
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Shoemaker (2-5) took the loss Wednesday against the White Sox after giving up two runs on five hits with four walks and two strikeouts over six innings.
The right-hander had plenty of traffic on the basepaths but held Chicago to a pair of runs, though it wasn't enough to avoid his fifth loss. Shoemaker has a 6.08 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 25:16 K:BB across 40 innings this season.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Coughs up three homers
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Shoemaker (2-4) allowed five runs on five hits and two walks over six innings Friday, striking out four and taking a loss against Oakland.
Shoemaker made it through four innings having only allowed one run on a solo shot by Ramon Laureano. His outing was then derailed after two-run blasts by Sean Murphy and Stephen Piscotty in the fifth and sixth frames. The 34-year-old righty is now sporting a 6.62 ERA and 23:12 K:BB across 34 innings. Shoemaker is projected to face the White Sox at home next week.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Collects second win
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Shoemaker (2-3) earned the win over Detroit on Friday, pitching five scoreless innings with five strikeouts, four hits and two walks.
Shoemaker took down Detroit for the second time this season, and this was perhaps his best of six starts in 2021. Only two of the six baserunners Shoemaker allowed made it beyond first base. The 34-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 6.43 with a 1.50 WHIP and 19:10 k:BB across 28 innings this season. He tentatively lines up to face the heavy-hitting White Sox next week.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Hit hard by Kansas City
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Shoemaker (1-3) went 3.1 innings and allowed nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits and two walks with no strikeouts in an 11-3 loss to the Royals on Saturday.
Shoemaker allowed two runs in the first and third innings before surrendering five in an abbreviated fourth. He's been solid against inferior opponents but has struggled against quality teams and is best served as a streaming option.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Charged with second loss
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Shoemaker (1-2) took the loss Sunday versus the Pirates. He allowed two runs on six hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 5.1 innings.
Shoemaker wasn't bad, but he allowed a pair of runs in the first inning, and the Twins' offense never caught up. The veteran right-hander has a 5.49 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through 19.2 innings in 2021. His next start is expected to be Saturday versus the Royals.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Hit hard by A's
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Shoemaker (1-1) took the loss in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Athletics, coughing up five runs on four hits and four walks over 3.1 innings. He failed to strike out a batter.
The right-hander threw only 39 of 67 pitches for strikes before getting the hook, and when Shoemaker was over the plate, he paid for it, as Mitch Moreland took him deep twice. Shoemaker will carry a 6.28 ERA and 12:5 K:BB through 14.2 innings into his next outing, set for Sunday at home against the Pirates.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Starting Game 1
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Shoemaker will start the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Athletics, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Shoemaker was scheduled to start Monday's matchup prior to the postponement, but he won't have to wait long to take the hill. He's surrendered five runs on 10 hits and one walk while fanning 12 over 11 frames in his first two starts of 2021, resulting in a 4.09 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Monday's game also postponed
Rotowire
Shoemaker and the Twins won't play the A's on Monday since the game was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, Megan Ryan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
It's the third straight postponement for the Twins stemming from multiple positive tests for COVID-19. A doubleheader is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday in Oakland, though it's unclear if Shoemaker will start or if Minnesota will reorganize the rotation after three consecutive postponements.
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Twins' Matt Shoemaker: Another postponement Sunday
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Shoemaker and the Twins won't play the Angels on Sunday since the game was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
The 34-year-old was originally tabbed to start Saturday, but that contest was also postponed for the same reasons. The Twins reported multiple positive tests for the virus and are conducting additional testing and contact tracing, throwing the immediate future of their schedule into question. Shoemaker could pitch Monday at Oakland if Minnesota is cleared to retake the field.
