Twins' rotation problems grow as Bailey Ober struggles with hip issue, mechanics
MINNEAPOLIS — Pitching with diminished velocity Thursday for a third straight start, Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober failed to make it out of the fifth inning and surrendered seven runs — including career highs of four homers and six walks allowed — in a 16-3 loss to the Texas Rangers.
After losing two of three games to the Rangers while being outscored 34-13, the Twins have dropped four of their last five series. And they have a 10-12 record overall since the 13-game winning streak ended May 18, posting a combined 5.22 ERA as a pitching staff during that span.
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But as underwhelming as this stretch has been, Ober's lack of effectiveness could be a far bigger problem for a starting rotation that already lost Pablo López and Zebby Matthews to shoulder injuries in the past 10 days. Instead of helping to pick up the slack, Ober has become a major question mark.
Ober has been dealing with what he called 'some left hip stuff' since spring training, receiving regular treatment while battling mechanical issues. He's looked like himself for stretches, including five consecutive quality starts in April and May, and had a 3.41 ERA two weeks ago. But it's been ugly since.
Off the foul pole!
Wyatt Langford extends the @Rangers lead! pic.twitter.com/kZ16oISBip
— MLB (@MLB) June 12, 2025
Ober has an 8.04 ERA across his last three starts, yielding 14 runs in 15 2/3 innings, and they are the three softest-tossing outings of his 102-start MLB career. His fastball averaged 90.2 mph Thursday, up slightly from 89.3 and 89.6 mph in his previous two starts but still well below his career norms.
'I wouldn't call it an injury of any kind,' manager Rocco Baldelli said of the hip issue. 'I'd call it more just something he works through and deals with fairly regularly. Not something that I'd necessarily point to for (Thursday) or the last couple outings. … We'll figure it out and he'll keep working.'
Ober shied away from his fastball Thursday, throwing it just 31 percent of the time while relying more on off-speed pitches. And even that backfired, as he allowed two homers on his changeup and a third on his slider. Texas put 10 balls in play over 100 mph versus Ober, teeing off on everything.
'It was a tough day,' Ober said. 'Struggling to find the zone, and then when I do, the ball is getting hit. … I've been battling through some stuff, but it is what it is. I've got to push through it and go out there and compete.'
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But the brightest red flag is six walks, which is shockingly uncharacteristic for a pitcher known for pounding the strike zone. Ober's career walk rate of 1.9 per nine innings was tied for third lowest in Twins history among pitchers with at least 100 starts, behind only Carlos Silva (1.3) and Brad Radke (1.6).
'I felt better mechanically, moving faster on the mound,' Ober said. 'But it was harder to find my release point, on that side of the mechanics. I'm still not where I want to be, but I think I'm making strides in the right direction. Just got to stick to it, get back to working hard. It'll eventually get there.'
Josh Smith starts the @Rangers off with a blast! 💥 pic.twitter.com/L2zdaXRhyZ
— MLB (@MLB) June 12, 2025
Two weeks ago, the Twins boasted one of MLB's best and deepest rotations, with quality reinforcements stashed in the minors. Since then, they've lost López until at least mid-August, might not get Matthews back before the All-Star break and could be facing a tough decision on a clearly limited Ober.
Few teams have enough depth to withstand that. David Festa and Simeon Woods Richardson have stepped in for López and Matthews, but if another rotation replacement is needed for Ober, the Triple-A options are lacking in experience (Andrew Morris, Travis Adams) or upside (Randy Dobnak). 'I think I'll be fine,' Ober said. 'I mean, obviously if I keep pitching like this then probably not. I've been dealing with this since spring. I've been able to throw well with the same stuff, so I feel like I'll be able to do it. I've just got to get back to what I do, and that's throwing strikes and getting ahead.'
Ober's next start is scheduled for Wednesday versus the Reds in Cincinnati. The Twins could use Monday's off day to push him back or skip his turn in the rotation, but Ober and Baldelli downplayed the need for him to take some time off.
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'If he's able to execute his pitches, he's a great pitch-maker,' Baldelli said. 'So, if he can get back to just being the great pitch-maker that he is, which he's been for his entire career — both major leagues and minor leagues and probably before that — he's going to be more than OK.'
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