Keaschall and Matthews Are Working Toward A Post All-Star Break Return

Minneapolis – Two of the Minnesota Twins' youngest stars took big steps on their way back from the injured list on Tuesday. Zebby Matthews threw live batting practice to Kody Clemens, DaShawn Keirsey Jr., and Luke Keaschall, who has been out since late April with a broken right forearm.

Matthews threw about 40 pitches in two simulated innings and gave up a single to Keaschall and a double to Clemens, but struck out Keirsey in one of his two ABs. It’s hard to read into live BP results. Still, it was another box to check off for both of them to get them back into game action soon after the All-Star break.

“It feels good,” said Matthews on the simulated game. “It feels really good. And then to see Keaschall in the box was fun. It’s always fun throwing to him. It felt really good.”

“Zebby gave us exactly what we wanted, and his stuff looked good,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. “He was throwing two ups, he got through it, went well, and now we’re kind of reassessing everything inside and see what the next step is.”

On Keaschall’s end, it was the first time he faced live pitching since he exited the Los Angeles Angels game on April 25. While it was meant to be a warm-up to a rehab assignment for both of them, Keaschall didn’t hold back in challenging his teammate to pitch him inside the zone at 95-plus MPH. Keaschall wanted to help recreate an in-game matchup as much as he could.

“It felt great,” Keaschall said. “I just didn't want him to shy away from going in. [Matthews is] getting his work in. He's really good when he throws in, too. He's a stud pitcher. I don't want him to hold back just because I'm in there.”

It was a bit of a shock to Matthews when Keaschall asked him to pitch inside, given that Keaschall's injury was the cause of a pitch that went far too in. But Keaschall didn’t back down from his request, so Matthews met his demands.

“I tried not to be,” said Matthews. “Obviously, you know, the injury, it’s tough. But he kept telling me, ‘Throw me in, throw me in.’ So I threw him a couple in.”

Baldelli was surprised when a reporter informed him that Matthews was pitching inside to Keaschall in live batting practice. He couldn’t recall a single hitter in his 20 years in MLB wanting to get a 97 MPH pitch inside to them during live BP.

“You’re not going to see that very often,” said Baldelli. “But it’s just telling you you’re dealing with the young and youthful, and very excited guys that are very eager to get back out on the field.”

Keaschall and Matthews left batting practice unscathed and got to tap into their competitive nature. They are eager to get back to the field as soon as they can, and they want to be sure they’re doing their part for each other to be in their best shape to help this Twins team get back into postseason contention after their worst record in June in 30 years.

“I'm happy with where it's at,” said Keaschall. “I feel good. I took good swings and good things happened. You're always trying to work and get your swing to feel better and better each day. For everything I've been through and all things considered, I'm feeling good.”

“It’s hard because we’re all very competitive,” said Matthews. “We want to go out there and compete every day. To not be able to do that is tough. But you know, there’s other guys. You’re supporting a team here. It’s not just you. So if you just do your best, come in, get your work in, and support everyone else. Whenever you’re back out there, you’re ready to go.”

There’s no official word on whether Keaschall and Matthews will begin their rehab assignments immediately after the All-Star Break. Keaschall is expected to go to Fort Myers to begin his rehab, while Matthews may go to St. Paul. Still, their performances in a simulated game against each other indicate they’ll be back in a Twins uniform before July is over.