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Entering the 2025 MLB season, the Minnesota Twins were deemed one the organizations most well-equipped to endure the threat of starting pitcher injuries, rostering prized young starting pitchers David Festa, Zebby Matthews, and Andrew Morris at Triple-A St. Paul. Luckily, Minnesota only needed to dip into their starting rotation depth during the first two months of the season, promoting Festa when ace Pablo López was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right hamstring strain on Apr. 11.
Minnesota activated López from the 15-day IL on Apr. 25 and sent Festa back to the minors. The Twins rotation thus returned to its Opening Day five-pitcher rotation of López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Chris Paddack, and Simeon Woods Richardson. The status quo remained until Woods Richardson was demoted to Triple-A St. Paul on May 15, following a string of lackluster starts and a noticeable dip in his fastball velocity. Club decision-makers rewarded Matthews with Woods Richardson’s rotation spot, providing the former top prospect his first extended opportunity of the year.
The staff remained healthy and productive until López suffered a teres major strain during his June 3 start against the Athletics, which will sideline him for eight to 12 weeks. As a result, the front office was again forced to promote Festa. Five days later, Matthews was also placed on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder strain, forcing the team to recall Woods Richardson. That leaves Morris as the final line of reinforcement before starting pitching depth becomes a significant concern.
Despite not possessing a 40-man roster spot and not yet making his major-league debut, Morris joining Minnesota’s starting rotation would be a welcome development, given that he has generated a respectable 3.86 ERA and 4.36 FIP over 53 2/3 innings pitched in an offense-friendly league and home stadium. Still, depth beyond Morris has become a significant concern. Given the parent club’s recent misfortune with starting pitcher injuries, however, the team may be forced to continue drawing on its minor-league starting pitching depth. Who is Minnesota most likely to call upon after Morris? Let’s take a look at the most likely options:
Travis Adams
Despite earning his first promotion to the majors on Jun. 6, Adams was quickly optioned back to St. Paul on Jun. 9 to make room for Woods Richardson on the 26-man roster. The 25-year-old right-handed arm has yet to make his debut. That said, there is reason to believe Minnesota will be forced to call upon his services later this season.
Ideally, Adams could take on a long relief role, effectively mimicking the one Cole Sands filled in 2023. If more starting pitching injuries arise, though, Adams could need to start games for the parent club. In that case, he would likely take on a bulk role, meaning a back-of-the-bullpen reliever like Justin Topa or Jorge Alcala would open the game, pitch to three or four batters, and hand the ball over to Adams for a multi-inning performance.
Again, Minnesota being forced to rely on starting pitching depth beyond Morris would be a worst-case scenario. However, Adams would be a serviceable major-league arm whom the club could trust. Pitching prospect Marco Raya could also function as a bulk arm. That said, given his significant struggles at Triple A in his age-22 season, the club would be wise to go to drastic measures to avoid exposing him to major-league hitting.
Darren McCaughan or Randy Dobnak
This is where we, Twins Territory, really get into the weeds. McCaughan was initially brought to Minnesota this offseason as a multi-inning, low-leverage reliever, a role he fulfilled for the parent club over 5 â…“ innings pitched in early April. However, his role has changed since his Apr. 6 demotion, earning starts in five of his nine appearances.
The soft-tossing righty has generated a 4.06 ERA and 5.97 FIP over 37 â…” innings pitched, becoming a fixture in the Triple-A rotation. The 29-year-old’s transition into a starting pitcher has been relatively surprising. However, given that the organization has entrusted him with this newfound, more impactful role, there is reason to believe they could turn to him if a catastrophic number of starting rotation injuries were to arise.Â
After making the 2025 Opening Day 26-man roster, Dobnak appeared in one game in a mop-up role, giving up one run over 5 ⅓ innings pitched. Dobnak could be deemed interchangeable with McCaughan. Both are veteran, minor-league options who would likely pitch in three- to four-inning spurts, similar to Adams or Raya. However, given Dobnak’s lackluster 5.87 ERA and 5.21 FIP over 30 ⅔ innings pitched with St. Paul, there is reason to believe McCaughan has a slight edge.
Connor Prielipp
Of the options named (including Morris), Prielipp presents the highest ceiling. Despite performing well at Double-A Wichita this season (3.13 ERA and 3.03 FIP over 31 â…” innings pitched), though, he won’t be available for a while. The organization placed the 24-year-old on the 7-day IL with a blister on Tuesday. His 7-day IL stint follows the organization’s recent placement of Prielipp on the developmental list to minimize his workload.
Hopefully, Prielipp will pitch again later this season. Given his early season success, there is reason to believe he could earn a promotion to Triple-A, and eventually the majors. Still, given his perpetual health concerns and the team’s desire to mitigate his workload, Adams, McCaughan, and Dobnak are more likely to receive immediate opportunities. If injuries arise later this season, Prielipp could be in line to make his major-league debut.