Quick Read
- Joe Ryan left his start against the Blue Jays after just two batters due to right elbow soreness.
- The Twins are already missing All-Star pitcher Pablo López for the season following surgery.
- Ryan’s departure creates immediate uncertainty for the Minnesota rotation and his trade availability this summer.
MINNEAPOLIS (Azat TV) – The Minnesota Twins face a significant injury scare after starting pitcher Joe Ryan exited Sunday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays after facing only two batters. Ryan, who has served as the team’s primary rotation anchor, alerted the dugout after experiencing soreness in his right elbow.
Injury impact on Minnesota Twins rotation
The incident occurred in the first inning following a strikeout of Yohendrick Pinango and a walk to Kazuma Okamoto. According to The Athletic, Ryan signaled to catcher Victor Caratini and manager Derek Shelton after his ninth pitch of the game. Shelton confirmed in an in-game interview that the pitcher reported immediate discomfort. The departure marks a critical development for the Twins, who are already managing the absence of All-Star pitcher Pablo López following his season-ending Tommy John surgery in February.
Velocity trends and medical evaluation
Prior to Sunday’s exit, data from Baseball Savant indicated that Ryan’s fastball velocity had averaged 92.6 mph through his first seven starts, a decline of 1.1 mph from his 2025 campaign. While Ryan had previously attributed the decrease to mechanical adjustments, his four pitches on Sunday showed further regression, with the final delivery to Okamoto clocked at 90.9 mph. The team has not yet provided a definitive diagnosis, though any elbow-related issue for a starting pitcher carries substantial long-term implications.
Stakes for team depth and trade value
Ryan, who posted a 3.76 ERA across 38 1/3 innings this season, remains a central figure for the Twins. With the pitcher under team control through the 2027 season, his health is vital to both Minnesota’s competitive standing in the American League Central and his potential value on the trade market this July. Should Ryan require an extended absence, the organization may look to Triple-A depth, with right-hander Zebby Matthews identified as a primary candidate for a rotation promotion.
The early exit of a primary starter like Ryan, combined with the existing loss of Pablo López, leaves the Twins’ pitching depth in a precarious position; the speed of his departure after minimal pitches suggests the team will likely prioritize conservative diagnostic imaging to determine if this is a short-term strain or a more severe structural injury.