The Minnesota Twins were dealt a blow as star right-handed pitcher Joe Ryan left the game with an injury in the first inning.
Ryan was starting for the Twins on Sunday in the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-hander was looking to get Minnesota back on track and split the four-game series.
However, after getting the Yohendrick Pinango to fly out to lead off the game, Ryan walked Kazuma Okamoto. On the pitch that walked Okamoto, Ryan immediately called the trainers to the mound and, after a quick talk, exited the game with an injury.
“Joe Ryan missed high with a 3-2 fastball to Kazuma Okamoto and immediately signaled to the dugout. After a brief consultation, the Twins starter left the game after two batters,” Blue Jays reporter Shi Davidi wrote on X.
During the broadcast, the Twins announcers claimed Ryan was reportedly doing stretches pregame to work on his back, which had previously bothered him. Whether or not this injury is related to the back is uncertain.
However, the Twins announced that Ryan left the game due to elbow soreness, Davidi reported on X.
“Twins say Joe Ryan left the game with elbow soreness,” Davidi wrote.
Ryan was able to walk off under his own power. But after throwing a ball high, he quickly called the trainers over, which is a bit of a concern. Andrew Morris replaced Ryan in the first inning.
Ryan is 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA in 8 starts this season. He has a $13 million mutual option next season, but could be a free agent at the end of the year.
Ryan is a Trade Candidate for Twins
Minnesota is off to a bad start, and Ryan’s name has been involved in trade rumors for years.
With Ryan likely being a free agent at the end of the season, his name has come up in trade rumors. Although he wasn’t dealt last year, one MLB exec told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that Ryan is a potential trade candidate.
“It seemed like (Ryan) was someone that they were considering trading last year,” one AL executive told Feinsand. “They’re looking like they’ll be in a similar spot this year.”
Feinsand polled 20 MLB execs on who would be the biggest name traded, and Ryan was voted three times.
Ryan is a one-time MLB All-Star after being named to the All-Star Game last season. In 2025, he went 13-10 with a 3.42 ERA in 31 games.
Minnesota Dealing With Pitching Injuries
The potential injury to Ryan is a concern, as the Twins are dealing with some injuries to the pitching staff already.
Right-handed reliever Cole Sands was placed on the 15-day IL after he felt discomfort while warming up.
“Anytime you go get imaging, there’s going to be some concern,” Sands said. “And there was definitely some concern on my end. But, yeah, it was kind of one of those things where you check those boxes. Obviously, you feel a little bit better about it. … It was probably some of the better news you could have got out of the whole thing.”
Starting pitcher Mick Abel, meanwhile, is also on the IL with right elbow inflammation. Pablo Lopez, meanwhile, was lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery, while David Festa, Cody Laweryson, and Garrett Acton are all on the IL as well.
The Twins are off to a 14-20 start and are in last place in the AL Central.
UPDATE: Twins Make Joe Ryan Announcement After Leaving Blue Jays Game