Twins 4, Astros 1: Elbow Scares Never Turn Out Well, But Joe Ryan is Built Different

[Sherry Cerny]

Image courtesy of © Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images

Box Score
SP: Joe Ryan - 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K (99 pitches, 71 strikes (72% strikes)
Home Runs: Ryan Kriedler (3)
3 WPA: Ryan Kreidler (0.24); Joe Ryan (0.20); Victor Caratini (0.11)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

The rubber match of a series against the Astros Wednesday afternoon was also getaway day, and the telling contest of a nine-game homestand. The Twins had won one series and lost the next, and entered Wednesday needing a win to go 5-4 before heading out on a 10-game road trip.

Two Ryan Experiences for the Price of One
Joe Ryan gave up three singles to the bottom of Houston’s lineup in the top of the 2nd, allowing the Astros to strike first on an RBI single from former Twin Christian Vázquez. Houston grabbed the early lead, but the Twins answered immediately with a (looong) solo home run from Victor Caratini to tie the game at 1-1.

Both before and after that blip, however, Ryan looked much more like himself. While his pitch count continued to climb, he worked out of several jams and racked up nine strikeouts through six innings, looking more confident with every trip to the mound. The Twins took control in the fourth inning with a three-run homer from Ryan Kriedler, extending the lead to 4-1 heading into the fifth. Kreidler had an execrable offensive track record in the majors before this season, but he's thriving in his part-time role with the Twins this year.

Ryan finished six innings and told Audra Martin afterward that one of the things he appreciates most is his defense, pointing specifically to James Outman’s diving catch for the final out of the fourth inning. Ryan also joked about former teammate Vázquez being the lone hitter to drive in a run against him. Since leaving his start on May 3 with elbow soreness after facing just two batters, he's not only managed to stay in the rotation, but been dazzling. It's a huge relief, in a year when every other player who reports some minor malady seems to land on the injured list for months.

It's a Team Effort
Kody Clemens has become an important piece of the lineup, filling multiple roles defensively. Against Houston, he started in right field and finished at first base. Derek Shelton commented before the game that Clemens has been “a net positive at every defensive position he’s played,” while also allowing other players to get needed rest without sacrificing defense. Clemens has also continued to improve offensively, hitting .240 with a .754 overall OPS—his best production to date.

There were no more runs for either side after the fourth inning, and the bullpens set up to battle it out, both sides needing the win.

Strong Bullpen Appearance
Yoendrys Gómez relieved Ryan in the seventh and struck out three straight hitters, preserving the cushion and allowing the offense to avoid grinding through every at-bat. The Twins have played in 10 one-run games this season and won only three of them, making any lead larger than one especially valuable.

The bullpen still brings some uncertainty, but lately the starters have been delivering longer, more effective outings, giving the relievers room to breathe instead of being overused on a nightly basis. Gómez returned for the eighth inning and looked a little less sharp than he did in the seventh, but still managed to post a zero and keep the Twins in control. 

Andrew Morris closed things out with a 10-pitch save, the first of his career. He's settling ever more into a standard, high-leverage relief role, and is one symbol of the rising promise of this roster.

What’s Next?
The Twins have a day off on Thursday in Boston, after which they'll begin a 10-day road trip. Their first contest at Fenway Park begins at 6:10 PM CT on Friday. The Twins will send Connor Prielipp to the mound (1-2, 2.88 ERA), facing Payton Tolle (2-2, .205 ERA), 

Postgame Interviews 

Bullpen Availability Chart

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[Nshore]

I hope somehow, someway they hang on to Ryan.  Twins fans would be roaring for that guy in high stakes games.  If you want to build attendance, he's part of the foundation.

 

[mickster]

6 minutes ago, Nshore said:

I hope somehow, someway they hang on to Ryan.  Twins fans would be roaring for that guy in high stakes games.  If you want to build attendance, he's part of the foundation.

 

I am on board,  We don't need a complete tear down, as we have pieces to build around.  Lopez, Ryan, Able, Taj, Preilipp, Mathews and SWR give you 7 arms.   Jeffers injury hurts.   But some BP pieces can come together, and I think Festa will be part of that with Morris, and most likely SWR.   Rojas has a role as well.

[Nshore]

3 minutes ago, mickster said:

I am on board,  We don't need a complete tear down, as we have pieces to build around.  Lopez, Ryan, Able, Taj, Preilipp, Mathews and SWR give you 7 arms.   Jeffers injury hurts.   But some BP pieces can come together, and I think Festa will be part of that with Morris, and most likely SWR.   Rojas has a role as well.

I think Rojas could be huge.  I hated him at first because I'm a huge fan of Varland.  But he's only 23 and already looks more poised and comfortable.  I could see him striking out Aaron Judge to win the playoff series.  Turn him loose!

[Mike Sixel]

21 minutes ago, Nshore said:

I hope somehow, someway they hang on to Ryan.  Twins fans would be roaring for that guy in high stakes games.  If you want to build attendance, he's part of the foundation.

 

I can't see any way this happens with this ownership group. He also seems very ready to leave and go someplace they are actually trying to win. 

[JD-TWINS]

3 pitchers gave up 5 hits/no walks and had 15 strikeouts. Completely in control for 9 innings.

Bottom of line-up (6-10) had 5 of 6 hits for the Twins………Caratini - Gray - Kreidler - Outman.

Outman is actually playing like a real MLB player (great catch today in CF) over most recent games. His BA was zero in middle of April & now he’s up to .185 - big change! Not a huge fan but he’s improved!! I didn’t think Clemens nor Outman should be on the March 27 roster ……… Clemens is up to .240 (hit today) and he’s got a .765 OPS.

[Parfigliano]

28 minutes ago, mickster said:

I am on board,  We don't need a complete tear down, as we have pieces to build around.  Lopez, Ryan, Able, Taj, Preilipp, Mathews and SWR give you 7 arms.   Jeffers injury hurts.   But some BP pieces can come together, and I think Festa will be part of that with Morris, and most likely SWR.   Rojas has a role as well.

Hope some of these great arms are equally great with a bat.

[Cris E]

During the post-game they had a great montage of Ryan reactions from the game.  The guy is a piece of work, lots of fun to watch out there. I'd pay him and Jeffers and see what they can do in 2027. There are a bunch of good parts here, a likeable bunch that are only a few pieces away. Hope they step up over the winter.

[Peter]

This was closer then score indicated! If not for the home runs we would’ve lost!!! Ryan and bullpen were outstanding!!! Huge statement series win as well winning homestand!!! Tough road trip upcoming but if we continue to win series .500 and winning record will happen!!!

[JD-TWINS]

54 minutes ago, mickster said:

I am on board,  We don't need a complete tear down, as we have pieces to build around.  Lopez, Ryan, Able, Taj, Preilipp, Mathews and SWR give you 7 arms.   Jeffers injury hurts.   But some BP pieces can come together, and I think Festa will be part of that with Morris, and most likely SWR.   Rojas has a role as well.

Not knit picking but I’d have Bailey Ober in the Top 5 group with Lopez - Ryan - Abel - Bradley with Prielipp - Rojas - Matthews right behind them & SWR & Morris in the PEN. After today, I get the feeling they like Morris at 96-97 Mph & shortening his “starter repertoire” to be the Closer.

[Patzky]

41 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Not knit picking but I’d have Bailey Ober in the Top 5 group with Lopez - Ryan - Abel - Bradley with Prielipp - Rojas - Matthews right behind them & SWR & Morris in the PEN. After today, I get the feeling they like Morris at 96-97 Mph & shortening his “starter repertoire” to be the Closer.

What I love most about Morris is that he tends to Throw Strikes,early in the count. I still have Genesis Cabrera flashbacks from last year (and Topa Taylor and Funderburk ones from this year.) where they beat themselves by starting off with seven or eight balls in a row.

[Patzky]

4 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Not knit picking but I’d have Bailey Ober in the Top 5 group with Lopez - Ryan - Abel - Bradley with Prielipp - Rojas - Matthews right behind them & SWR & Morris in the PEN. After today, I get the feeling they like Morris at 96-97 Mph & shortening his “starter repertoire” to be the Closer.

A Pablo and Abel (assuming both healthy next year, assuming there IS next year), Ober, Taj, and Prielipp rotation could be pretty good! Add Ryan and it would be excellent. I know we have all heard this before but the same comfort we took for granted with Duran, Jax, Brock in years past we also have grown into with this group of starters. Owners thought it was simple to grow a bullpen.. ask Detroit about how easy cultivating a good starting rotation is.

[terrydactyls]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

I can't see any way this happens with this ownership group. He also seems very ready to leave and go someplace they are actually trying to win. 

If there is any question whether Ryan is leaving or willing to stay, any competent leadership group... oh, never mind. 

Weeks before the trade deadline, I would hope that conversations between Pohlad/Zoll and Ryan's agent will make that conundrum clear.  If he won't sign, ship him to the team that offers the best return.  If he will sign, then lock him up for five or six years.

[stringer bell]

Today, I am optimistic about the pitching staff. Cole Sands, Kody Funderburk and Laweryson aren't elite, but they have the look of big-league pitchers. Add Morris, Orze and Gomez along with SWR and maybe sprinkle in a veteran like Rogers and while it isn't a top bullpen, it seems more competitive with much more upside than Topa, Banda and Garcia. There is the possibility of someone who throws hard transitioning to the bullpen as well. Results haven't been even close to good enough to compete, but maybe they'll be better in the future.

I keep reminding people that the Twins offense isn't bad at all. They are well above average in runs scoreds despite the struggles of several players. Scoring runs consistently is tough, especially with high-velocity pitching staffs. There is also hope for improvement of the defense. Lee has stabilized at shortstop and Buxton is still a good centerfielder.

I still have a hard time seeing this group succeed long term and I think the offense will regress a bit as the season moves along and without anyone proven to finish games the bullpen is likely to leak quite a bit. 

[Blyleven2011]

Nice to get the series win and a winning homestead ...

The warm weather really hasn't cooperated for the start of the season  ,  but now that the twins are leaving for a road trip the warm weather will be near 80's  at target field , hope it follows them to boston ...

Will the twins comeback a 500 club from the road trip  , just maybe they will , I didn't have much faith in the team to start the season because of a failed off season of not adding any significant additions to offense and bullpen ...

This team is playing better ball and they just might start impressing me more than I would have thought ...

If they could clean up their mental and defense errors and start adjusting to hitting with runners in scoring position  it just might be a better exciting team ...

I even listen to pre games with shelton on the radio  , I could never watch or listen to rocco  , never , it always seemed so fake ...

 

 

[arby58]

4 hours ago, mickster said:

I am on board,  We don't need a complete tear down, as we have pieces to build around.  Lopez, Ryan, Able, Taj, Preilipp, Mathews and SWR give you 7 arms.   Jeffers injury hurts.   But some BP pieces can come together, and I think Festa will be part of that with Morris, and most likely SWR.   Rojas has a role as well.

You'd love to see it, but one of the big franchises is going to throw money at Ryan that the Twins cannot match. That is just the reality of MLB without a salary cap.

The good news is the next wave (Bradley, Abel, Prielipp, Rojas) looks good, and Lopez and Ober are still around as well. Starting pitchiing is probably the one position going forward where the Twins don't have to overpay.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

As already stated, I too want the team to extend Ryan. Very entertaining. Jeffers, also. I like what they both bring to the team. Seems unlikely though. 

Good game today. Fun to watch. Great catch by Outman. Im not the biggest fan of his, but credit where its due, he has started to contribute a little bit. 

The team can be competitive. Im glad there were some players moved out. Just a thought, but having Lewis in the clubhouse could not have been good for morale with all the negativity. 

[Glorybound]

2 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

If there is any question whether Ryan is leaving or willing to stay, any competent leadership group... oh, never mind. 

Weeks before the trade deadline, I would hope that conversations between Pohlad/Zoll and Ryan's agent will make that conundrum clear.  If he won't sign, ship him to the team that offers the best return.  If he will sign, then lock him up for five or six years.

 The Ryan extension window has long passed. Sorry just the way things are. The real world sucks.

[karcherd]

6 minutes ago, soyouresayingtheresachance said:

Just a thought, but having Lewis in the clubhouse could not have been good for morale with all the negativity. 

I am not sure what you base this statement on.  First he has only been gone for two games and they are 1-1.  Also he didn't look like he was sulking in the dugout, he always seemed to have a smile and seemed to be happy for his teammates.  Now if there was something going on outside the cameras, none of us knows but we haven't heard anything.  Piling on Lewis like this is getting a little old.  Yes his performance has been very poor, but do we have to just make stuff up.

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

2 minutes ago, karcherd said:

I am not sure what you base this statement on.  First he has only been gone for two games and they are 1-1.  Also he didn't look like he was sulking in the dugout, he always seemed to have a smile and seemed to be happy for his teammates.  Now if there was something going on outside the cameras, none of us knows but we haven't heard anything.  Piling on Lewis like this is getting a little old.  Yes his performance has been very poor, but do we have to just make stuff up.

It was just a thought based on his comments about people ready to take his spot on the roster and things of that sort 

[Permanent Twins Fan]

Yoendrys Gomez and Andrew Morris are probably the best relievers in the Twins bullpen right now. Gomez looked really impressive tonight. Also, Caratini and Kriedler . . . as expected

[DocBauer]

I'll take a 5-4 homestand over a losing one, but I'm still disappointed they didn't win at least 6 games. They were seemingly a pitch or one key hit away from 6 wins, maybe even 7. Still, they played decent ball and came out with a winning record.

But a few quick observations over today's game, and the homestand in general.

1] Ryan remains a STUD. The dream is to keep him around for a few more years. 

2] I'm pleased the organization has finally decided to fully convert Morris to a 1 IP bullpen role and turn him loose. The idea of keeping him stretched out "in case one more injury to the rotation" is a fallacy. Were that to happen, the pen would be as bad as ever, if not even worse, so him being a SP suddenly doesn't do anything to alter the eventual results. Further, this helps rebuild the pen for 2027, if not the rest of 2026. IMO, they should do the same thing with Klein tomorrow. Even with his poor AAA ERA and HR numbers, the hits per 9 and BB aren't horrible, and the K's are still there. Even in his poor appearances for St Paul, he's seemed good for the first couple of innings. He's got an interesting repetoire, throws 95 consistently, and would undoubtedly hit 97-98 on a limited IP basis. GET HIM IN THE TWINS BULLPEN and get him transitioned for now, and the future. 

3] I'm kinda wondering if part of the reason for Morris finally being turned in to a high leverage arm might be due to Rojas. The kid isn't really ready yet. He's by NO MEANS a finished product, but his stuff is just NASTY! Imagine how good he might be with a little better control and a better idea of what he's doing? I was disappointed they didn't send him out for the 5th inning the other day. I understand they wanted to give SWR 2-4 innings...the rain ruined that idea...but the kid was cruising after the first 2 innings. I would have given him the 5th. SIM could have still come in for the 6th and more. In fact, with the rain delay, it would have worked even better. 

4] I know it's a SSS, but did the Twins finally pick up a talented young arm for the bullpen in Gomez they can work with? A good arm that's never been harnessed with some OK numbers, is it "right time, right place"? The Twins have found those rough diamonds many times over the years. Did they possibly find another one? 

5] I'm not the biggest fan or believer in Clemens, but I think he's OK as a bench role player. But I believe he's the kind of player you're looking to replace with someone better. But I find it interesting that his best overall season was 2025 with the Twins, who gave him a lot of rope. Even still, he was VERY inconsistent. But he's SUDDENLY up to a .240 AVG and a .754 OPS. Not spectacular by any means. But if he could POSSIBLY maintain production close to that, with his versatility and solid defense, it really helps. I have doubts and hope.

6] I've just never been a fan of the Twins clinging on to Kreidler. Despite a great glove almost wherever you place him, he's just never proved he could hit his way out of a wet paper bag at the ML level. His AAA numbers have also been very average.

And look, I'm still not a believer in his bat for obvious reasons. But his time in St Paul has produced the best MILB quad slash line he's ever had, and FAR above his overall numbers. And, of course, he's NEVER produced like this at the ML level. So regression is obvious.  I'm still not a believer. But similar to the slightly older Clemens, isn't it interesting that his best MILB and ML numbers are with the Twins in his age 28yo season? While I expect at least SOME regression for Clemens, I expect a lot more regression for Kreidler. But even batting .200 with some pop, some speed, and great defense, he's much better than his previous .150-ish career ML AVG. previously. Hitting even .200 makes him an OK 13th man for now.

[jorgenswest]

26 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

I know it's a SSS, but did the Twins finally pick up a talented young arm for the bullpen in Gomez they can work with? A good arm that's never been harnessed with some OK numbers, is it "right time, right place"? The Twins have found those rough diamonds many times over the years. Did they possibly find another one?

He peaked as the Yankees number 4 prospect.

His path as a Yankee was derailed with a lost 2020 COVID season and then a 2021 season where he tore a UCL. He was out of options before he was ready and has ridden the DFA train from the Yankees to the Dodgers to the White Sox to the Rays to the Twins. Hopefully the train stops here.

[DocBauer]

Only since others brought it up in a game thread:

1] The rotation for 2027, no trades, (the Twins don't have to trade Ryan, and I hope they don't), in no particular order, but sorta based on initial 2026 projections just for clarification sake, would be Lopez, Ryan, Ober, SWR, Bradley, Abel, Matthews, Prielipp, and the possibility of Rojas as a 9th option. 

That's pretty good depth even if Rojas moves to the pen, even on a temporary basis. Unfortunately, it gets a little weak after that as currently, the best SP options are in AA and below. Some of that could change over the rest of the season. But it means a SMART FO would find at least a couple solid veteran additions for St Paul for depth purposes. 

I choose to remove Festa due to current injury flux, and the OBVIOUS move to the bullpen when/if his shoulder is good again.

We are just starting to see the FO FINALLY making some BP moves that make sense with Morris's conversion. Why not get Klein up to do the same? Orze has kinda surprised me. He might be OK. I still don't know if Sands could be GOOD, or mediocre. He's shown both. But I'd love to have him back and let him prove himself. Same with Laweryson who isn't special in any way, but damn if he doesn't figure out how to get guys out. Maybe I'm nuts, but I thought Funderburk FINALLY looked like a solid middle innings option before his child was born. Was his distracted? Maybe so. But previously, he seemed to carry over a solid end to 2025. 

HOPEFULLY Funderburk will come back and be focused and be the middle LF that he can be.

As tempting as it might be to keep Rojas in the rotation, he's almost a clone of Prielipp in regard to early injuries and a lack of IP. He needs TIME as SP option. But he also might be a Santana or Liriano who might begin his career in the bullpen, but transition to the rotation in time.

Or maybe he's just too damn good to never leave the bullpen. It's a nice problem to have. (*NOTE I'd look to trade for or sign a solid LHRP and keep Rojas as a SP option for 2027)

It's been amazing how Bradley and Abel have grown. It's been amazing how Ober has suddenly become an 80's SP . I'm not sure I doubt him any longer. But there is SOMETHING wrong physically or mentally with SWR. He's always been solid. He even looked better than ever to end 2025 with his new splitter. SOMETHING is wrong mechanically or mentally. I HOPE some time in the BP will make a difference.  I still think an "injury" makes more sense to allow a re-set at St Paul makes more sense.

[knothole61]

5 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Nice to get the series win and a winning homestead ...

The warm weather really hasn't cooperated for the start of the season  ,  but now that the twins are leaving for a road trip the warm weather will be near 80's  at target field , hope it follows them to boston ...

Will the twins comeback a 500 club from the road trip  , just maybe they will , I didn't have much faith in the team to start the season because of a failed off season of not adding any significant additions to offense and bullpen ...

This team is playing better ball and they just might start impressing me more than I would have thought ...

If they could clean up their mental and defense errors and start adjusting to hitting with runners in scoring position  it just might be a better exciting team ...

I even listen to pre games with shelton on the radio  , I could never watch or listen to rocco  , never , it always seemed so fake ...

 

 

Yeah, Shelton seems like an old=school baseball guy while Baldelli, although a very talented player, seemed to be on some different psychological plane. I wish Rocco well, but am glad he's moved on to LA.

[knothole61]

4 hours ago, Permanent Twins Fan said:

Yoendrys Gomez and Andrew Morris are probably the best relievers in the Twins bullpen right now. Gomez looked really impressive tonight. Also, Caratini and Kriedler . . . as expected

As expected!!

[TroyVang]

I'm so confused as to why multiple people have listed Topa in their projections about the bullpen and he's even listed in the bullpen usage chart. We DFA'd him on Tuesday!?!

[4twinsJA]

Ryan likely gone, but should return Bradley, Able, Rojas type in trade.

[mickster]

17 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Not knit picking but I’d have Bailey Ober in the Top 5 group with Lopez - Ryan - Abel - Bradley with Prielipp - Rojas - Matthews right behind them & SWR & Morris in the PEN. After today, I get the feeling they like Morris at 96-97 Mph & shortening his “starter repertoire” to be the Closer.

Agreed - I spaced on Ober