Joe Ryan, the Minnesota Twins’ pitcher, was placed on the injured list after sustaining a potentially season-ending shoulder injury Wednesday. Ryan left his start against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday because to arm stiffness, as did the Twins’ training staff. He threw four pitches to Pete Crow-Armstrong before indicating for the bench and leaving the game in the third inning. The Twins disclosed shortly after Ryan’s departure that he was experiencing right triceps soreness.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters after the game that he did not expect Ryan’s injury to be a “large-scale” issue, but that he would “miss some time.” On Thursday, the 28-year-old right-hander had an MRI, which revealed a Grade 2 right teres major strain. Ryan’s shoulder injury is more severe than the Twins anticipated, with Baldelli estimating a rehabilitation time of “weeks to months.” Minnesota placed Ryan on the 15-day disabled list for the time being, and selected right-hander Scott Blewett from Triple-A St. Paul to replace him. Brock Stewart, who is scheduled for season-ending shoulder surgery, was added to the 60-day disabled list in a similar move. Minnesota reactivated infielder Kyle Farmer and placed infielder Brooks Lee on the 10-day injured list for biceps tendinitis.
Minnesota was unable to acquire a starter pitcher before the trade deadline, making Ryan’s injury especially damaging. With Anthony DeSclafani out for the season and Chris Paddack ailing with a forearm injury, the Twins’ rotation is already weak.
Twins Place Joe Ryan On Injured List With Grade 2 Shoulder Strain
Ryan has been a regular in the Twins’ rotation since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021. The 28-year-old has been Minnesota’s most consistent starter in 2024, pitching 135 innings with a 3.60 ERA. Ryan has a great 27.3% strikeout rate and a 4.3% walk rate, which places him in the 96th percentile.
Louie Varland was called up from Triple-A St. Paul as the Twins’ 27th player and will start the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians. Depending on Ryan’s recovery, Varland may close the regular season in Minnesota’s rookie-heavy rotation, among veteran right-handers Pablo López and Bailey Ober.
The Twins lead the AL Wild Card race by half a game, 63-50. They also remain in a close contest for the division lead. Minnesota began a potentially pivotal four-game series with the division-leading Guardians on Friday.
