The Minnesota Twins have been running Bailey Ober out to the mound every fifth day all season long. They have been given indications that was a bad idea for the past month.
Ober himself has suggested he has been working through different physical ailments. Despite the results suggesting the plan wasn't working, the Twins tried to make mechanical tweaks between starts.
The club is now 40-45 and the pitcher has been a pin cushion for opposing offenses. Finally sensibility has won out and something is going to change.
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Earlier this month Bailey Ober revealed he was dealing with both knee and hip discomfort. He hoped that it wouldn't result in a trip to the injured list, but the results have all but necessitated that.
Now finally sent to the injured list to end his suffering, Bailey Ober owns a 5.28 ERA (5.29 FIP) for the Twins. It's the worst mark of his career and is coupled with a career-low 7.2 K/9.
Ober made five starts in June, again, despite dealing with multiple maladies. Those resulted in truly horrendous numbers. Across 30.0 innings he allowed 30 runs, 14 home runs, and posted a 24/8 K/BB. The stretches of competence were so minimal you needed to squint in order to see them.
It's unfortunate for a guy that the Minnesota Twins needed to take another step forward this year. Derek Falvey banked on a top three of Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, and Ober. Even before getting blasted the last month Ober had just a 3.48 ERA and looked more like a fourth or fifth starter than a two or three.
Now with Lopez , Zebby Matthews , and Ober all on the injured list Rocco Baldelli must pray for rain. Joe Ryan has been exceptional and will warrant individual award consideration. David Festa and Simeon Woods Richardson have been shaky. Chris Paddack has turned back into a pumpkin.
Related: Surprise: MLB Trade Deadline Buyers Targeting MN Twins Pitchers
Where the Twins turn for their next starter remains to be seen. It could be Travis Adams, but he hasn't been great since returning to Triple-A. Both Cory Lewis and Marco Raya have struggled this season, and Andrew Morris is currently on the Triple-A injured list.
Randy Dobnak could be recalled to eat innings, but he has been going through it of late too. No matter who it is, the reality is that the Minnesota Twins depth is now gone and there is no good option. Any option though, is better than continuing to expose Ober in the fashion he was over the last month.
Over the weekend the Minnesota Twins designated Jonah Bride for assignment. That move paved the way for Royce Lewis to return following his latest stint on the injured list.
IF Jonah Bride, DFA'd on Sunday, has cleared waivers and been assigned outright to Class AAA St. Paul.
— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) July 2, 2025
It's not exactly shocking no one wanted a veteran journeyman infielder with a .170/.248/.188 slash line . If anything, the most surprising part of Bride's existence with the Twins was just how long the held on.
Minnesota kept Bride on the roster for over 70 days and paid him more than $300,000 despite providing next to no value. He was more known for pitching in blowouts than any of his positional contributions.
Bride passed through waivers without any other team willing to give him the major league minimum. He also is sticking in the organization, and it's likely we haven't seen the last of him on the Minnesota Twins roster. It's the result of roster failure that keeps on popping up.
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