Report From The Fort: Joe Ryan's WBC On Pause

[John Bonnes]

Image courtesy of © Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

FORT MYERS — Joe Ryan’s spring training ramp-up will continue in Twins camp, but his World Baseball Classic debut with Team USA will wait at least a little longer.

Twins GM Jeremy Zoll said Sunday that Ryan will not participate in the WBC pool play round (or the exhibition games leading into it), but will be eligible to join Team USA later in the tournament if the Americans advance. 

Zoll described the decision as a collaborative one involving Ryan, his agent, Team USA, and the Twins, emphasizing that the goal is to make the “smartest and best” choice for everyone while keeping a close eye on how things look once pool play concludes. 

Ryan’s build-up after a scratched start last weekend appears to be back on track. Ryan said he’s been feeling “really good all week,” and threw a bullpen session on Saturday. He said the session shifted from delivery-focused cues into more pure execution as the session progressed. He said a few things still need refining, but he was pleased with how his work translated. “I felt really good about it,” he reflected.

His next steps are lined up: another live session in the coming days and then hopefully a game appearance after that. Whether or not he joins Team USA depends on how those go, and what their needs are as they (hopefully) advance to elimination rounds. 

Byron Buxton, who left today to join Team USA, said yesterday that his understanding is that  Ryan is “in a great spot” based on what they’ve discussed. He added that while Ryan wants to be with Team USA, “we also know what’s important and what’s at stake,” and he expects Ryan to join the team at some point. 

What’s at stake for the Twins is pretty simple: they can’t afford to have setbacks with Ryan’s timeline, because the rotation has already taken hits and the margin for error is shrinking fast. With Pablo López lost to Tommy John and Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and David Festa already needing early-spring monitoring and modified build-ups, the Twins’ best-case scenario is getting to Opening Day with as many dependable, prepared starters as possible.

 

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[Parfigliano]

They should be making the smartest and best decision for Ryan and TC.  Period.   The WBC and Team USA shouldn't enter the equation.

[theBOMisthebomb]

I am not a WBC fan, so this is great news. 

[DJL44]

The WBC should be a great showcase for Ryan and Buxton. I hope they are able to participate in some meaningful games for Team USA. The Twins won't have many meaningful games this season but Ryan and Buxton could each be playing for the postseason on new clubs.

[dxpavelka]

the sky is falling the sky is falling

 

[Linus]

How do people feel about the WBC?  

I just don’t care about it and there is no good time to play it. Is it meaningful to others out there?

[USAFChief]

19 minutes ago, Linus said:

How do people feel about the WBC?  

 

The what? 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Linus said:

How do people feel about the WBC?  

I just don’t care about it and there is no good time to play it. Is it meaningful to others out there?

It's as fun to watch as the All-Star game when they get past pool play.

[Dawgzilla]

Ryan is out for the year, being very questionable with lower, middle and upper body injuries that just linger, over and over and over and over and over and over and....well, I think you get my drift.  That being said, the whole Twin's team is questionable!!  Touche'!  😉

 

Upcoming season record:  71-91, with a high probability of -5 to the downside, but don't want to be to negative!  🤪

[theBOMisthebomb]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

It's as fun to watch as the All-Star game when they get past pool play.

That's a reasonable take although I just have a difficult time accepting any baseball tournament that is single elimination in the championship rounds. 

[Twinsrtheworst]

14 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

the sky is falling the sky is 

[CRF]

The ONLY thing that should matter, is that he's healthy and ready for the Twins season. The WBC doesn't even merit a thought. 

[Twins GFP]

WBC is more popular and has more meaning outside the USA. I understand the want for MLB to create a "World Cup" situation.

Players hate the timing (as they should). This event should be held immediately after the WS, so players are already stretched out instead of forcing them to be ready early.

The obvious decision is to shut down Ryan for WBC.

[Twinsrtheworst]

12 hours ago, CRF said:

The ONLY thing that should matter, is that he's healthy and ready for the Twins season. The WBC doesn't even merit a thought. 

 

12 hours ago, CRF said:

The ONLY thing that should matter, is that he's healthy and ready for the Twins season. The WBC doesn't even merit a thought. 

So we have now reached a point where we believe we should tell players what and what not to think! That doesn’t sound right to me.  If it matters to Joe, and is medically cleared.  Why would any fan that doesn’t even know him want to control his thought process?