Twins finalize one-year, $2M deal with Trenton's Matt Shoemaker

Minneapolis — The Minnesota Twins and right-hander Matt Shoemaker finalized a one-year, $2-million contract Friday, another experienced addition to the rotation on the first day of workouts for pitchers and catchers at spring training.

Shoemaker, an Eastern Michigan alum and Trenton native, will start his ninth major-league season, after spending two injury-dominated years with the Toronto Blue Jays. He made six starts in 2020 and missed a month with shoulder inflammation.

After finishing second in the American League rookie of the year voting in 2014 with a 16-4 record and a 3.04 ERA in 136 innings for the Los Angeles Angels, Shoemaker has been set back by a slew of injuries. Over the last four seasons, he has totaled just 166 innings over 32 starts. He has a 3.86 ERA in 602.1 career innings.

The Twins recently signed J.A. Happ to join José Berríos, Kenta Maeda and Michael Pineda in the rotation. Only Berrios (26) is younger than 32 in the group. Minnesota has won the last two AL Central titles.