MILWAUKEE – The Twins added yet another player to their lengthy injured list contingent on Sunday morning when Danny Coulombe was shelved with a strain of the extensor muscle in his left forearm.
It was one of several moves the club announced prior to their series finale against the Brewers at American Family Field.
Right-hander Zebby Matthews was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul, taking Coulombe’s spot in order to make his first Major League start of the year. Outfielder Carson McCusker had his contract selected from St. Paul, filling the 26-man roster spot vacated when Byron Buxton was placed on the concussion injured list Saturday. And rookie infielder Luke Keaschall was transferred to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster for McCusker.
All of the transactions were anticipated except for Coulombe’s IL stint, but both the lefty and manager Rocco Baldelli expressed optimism that Coulombe should not be out long. Coulombe said the injury feels like a sore muscle and is not near his elbow.
“It’s been something I’ve been kind of just dealing with all year,” Coulombe said. “When you’re 35, you’re not going to feel good all the time. But it’s just something that’s gotten progressively a little worse. … I feel pretty optimistic it’s going to be a short absence.”
Coulombe explained that he has not felt pain when he pitches, only when he warms up and does pregame work.
While Matthews takes Coulombe’s roster spot, he replaces Simeon Woods Richardson – who was optioned to St. Paul on Thursday – in the Twins’ starting rotation, at least for the time being. The second-year right-hander enjoyed a brilliant Spring Training and has pitched well at Triple-A.
“Zebby’s got great stuff,” Baldelli said. “He’s a really good strike thrower. And he’s gotten himself ready for this. We knew that we would need young pitchers to come up and help us and step in, and step in big and win games.”
It’s unclear the plan for Matthews beyond Sunday. Minnesota has an off-day on Thursday, so the team would not necessarily need a fifth starter until May 27.
As for McCusker, his arrival in the Major Leagues caps an impressive journey. He went undrafted out of Oklahoma State in 2021 and played in three seasons in the independent Frontier League. McCusker signed with the Twins organization in 2023, enjoyed a strong year split between Double-A Wichita and St. Paul last year and has been unstoppable at the plate in ‘25. He’s hitting .350 at Triple-A with 10 homers in 137 at-bats.
Correa’s milestone
The Twins had a “team meeting” scheduled for Sunday morning, but it would more accurately be described as a celebration. Shortstop Carlos Correa hit 10 years of Major League service time, a treasured milestone for players. It means a player’s pension is fully vested, but beyond that, it’s a highly valued marker of an accomplished career.
“It’s something every player takes an immense amount of pride in,” Baldelli said, “It’s a very special day in a Major League clubhouse. … It’s something that elicits emotion, gets guys fired up, and it’s one of those few times where a guy gets to be the center of attention not for just hitting a big homer or saving the game. But it’s a lifetime achievement you get to celebrate with your teammates, and that’s a special thing.”
The only downside, of course, is that Correa doesn’t get to celebrate by playing. He’s on the 7-day concussion injured list. That also means he’s not allowed to be interviewed, so his teammates had to speak for him.
“Welcome to the club,” said Christian Vázquez, who hit 10 years in 2024. “It was a fun ride seeing him grow as a player, and now getting to know him as a person is amazing. Awesome human being, great teammate. Great, great friend. I’m happy for him.”
