Joe Ryan Set to Take the Ball for Team USA Again

[Cody Christie]

Joe Ryan is headed back to the international stage. The Minnesota Twins right hander will pitch for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, continuing a growing résumé that already includes Olympic experience and a rising profile within Major League Baseball.

This will not be Ryan’s first time wearing the red white and blue. He previously represented Team USA at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, which were ultimately held in 2021 due to the pandemic. That trip came at a memorable point in his career. Ryan was still a member of the Rays organization when the Games began, and he was in Japan when the Twins acquired him in a deadline deal that sent Nelson Cruz to Tampa Bay. By the time Ryan returned stateside, he belonged to a new organization and was on the doorstep of the big leagues.

Five years later, Ryan is no longer a prospect getting his first taste of the majors. He is an established member of the Twins rotation and one of the more recognizable arms in the American League. His selection for Team USA reflects that progression and also highlights the trust both the national team and the Twins have in his preparation.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to run from March 5 through March 17 and will feature 20 teams competing across four host cities. Pool play will take place in Miami, Houston, San Juan, and Tokyo. The quarterfinals will then be split between Miami and Houston before the tournament returns to Miami for the semifinals and championship round. It will mark the sixth edition of the event, with Japan entering as the defending champions after winning the 2023 tournament.

For Ryan to participate, the Twins must sign off on his involvement, which suggests confidence in his offseason program and overall workload heading into the 2026 season. That decision carries some added context. Ryan was a first time All Star last season after a dominant first half, but he ran into challenges as the year wore on and his performance dipped in the later months. Allowing him to pitch in meaningful games during March indicates the organization believes he can handle the ramp up and benefit from the competitive environment.

Ryan is not the only Twin expected to be part of Team USA. Byron Buxton has also been connected to the roster, potentially giving Minnesota multiple representatives on a high profile international stage. For Ryan, the opportunity is both familiar and new, another chance to pitch in pressure situations while adding to a career that has already taken some unexpected and memorable turns.

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[DJL44]

Good for Ryan and Buxton. Hope they get some chances to make memories.

[hlsballer318]

Hoping the early reps in WBC warm them up for a 92 win season.

[Parfigliano]

If I was an owner I would not agree to a pitcher under contract playing for any team but mine.  To valuable to risk injury and arm wear and tear piling up innings especially a pitcher like Ryan with a history of arm weakening as the season progresses.

[jctwins]

These are great showcases for trades at the deadline.

[DJL44]

22 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

If I was an owner I would not agree to a pitcher under contract playing for any team but mine.  To valuable to risk injury and arm wear and tear piling up innings especially a pitcher like Ryan with a history of arm weakening as the season progresses.

Would you also turn down all the money ESPN is paying to air the games?

[sstolen]

On 12/18/2025 at 11:24 AM, Parfigliano said:

If I was an owner I would not agree to a pitcher under contract playing for any team but mine.  To valuable to risk injury and arm wear and tear piling up innings especially a pitcher like Ryan with a history of arm weakening as the season progresses.

How about thinking abt the individual player as a person beyond the commodity.? Its an honor...and a growth opportunity as a human being beyond their Twins exoerience.

Relax friend...for you and me its a game

[The Great Hambino]

46 minutes ago, sstolen said:

How about thinking abt the individual player as a person beyond the commodity.? Its an honor...and a growth opportunity as a human being beyond their Twins exoerience.

Relax friend...for you and me its a game

The owners are also the ones putting on this whole WBC shindig (and benefiting from its revenue) in the first place.  I'm sure they understood that their players might be involved in this from time to time and happily accepted whatever risks resulted from that.

[laloesch]

On 12/18/2025 at 12:17 PM, jctwins said:

These are great showcases for trades at the deadline.

Yes.  Hopefully it maximizes their trade values, because the Twins will be trading Ryan, and Lopez at some point in 2026.  Buxton might enter that conversation too if the team is bad this season.  There's been unconfirmed sources stating he's considering waiving his no trade clause to play for a potential champion before he retires and I don't blame him. 

[Dave Borton]

On 12/17/2025 at 2:33 PM, Cody Christie said:

Allowing him to pitch in meaningful games during March indicates the organization believes he can handle the ramp up and benefit from the competitive environment.

Love Joe but I don't see the sense of allowing him to pitch in WBC. Joe fades during the 2nd half of the year. He is needed for wins in early part of season.

He needn't be showcased in the WBC. Any teams interested in him know his stuff already.

[DJL44]

2 hours ago, Dave Borton said:

Love Joe but I don't see the sense of allowing him to pitch in WBC. Joe fades during the 2nd half of the year. He is needed for wins in early part of season.

He needn't be showcased in the WBC. Any teams interested in him know his stuff already.

The WBC is pointless if they don't allow the best players to participate. Either the best players participate, or you cancel the event.