Joe Ryan Scheduled for Rehab Start This Week

Joe Ryan is finally getting closer to a return, but the most important part of Tuesday’s rehab start in Omaha won’t necessarily be the results. It will be how he feels. Ryan is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A St. Paul as they begin a road series in Omaha after receiving the all-clear following a brief bullpen session Sunday morning. The right-hander has been on the 15-day injured list since Aug. 6 with a mild left glute strain.

That injury is likely the cause for Ryan’s second half struggles, but it also gives the Twins an opportunity to reset one of their most important players before the final month of the season.

The right-hander had struggled through three starts following the All-Star break and acknowledged that he was having difficulty repeating his delivery. That was the bigger concern.

Ryan wasn't simply getting hit harder than usual. Something didn't look right. His mechanics weren't as consistent, his velocity dipped and the results quickly followed.

Now, he believes he's moving in the right direction.

"Facing hitters was the biggest one, right?" Ryan told reporters after Wednesday's live batting practice. "I haven't done that in a second, and then I haven't really done that feeling like I have control over my body and not compensating for a couple, a little bit longer than that. So good to just get out there and feel a little bit more free."

That feeling of freedom might be the most important statistic for Ryan right now.

A Dramatic Second-Half Turn

Ryan looked like an ace during the first half of the season. He posted a sub-3.00 ERA and earned his second All-Star selection, continuing to establish himself as one of the most reliable pieces of Minnesota's rotation.

Then the calendar flipped. Ryan has allowed 17 runs over his last 15 1/3 innings. He has struck out just 10 of his last 73 opponents. The Twins lost all three of his starts following the All-Star break.

His fastball told part of the story. Ryan's four-seam fastball averaged just 92.1 mph in his final start before landing on the injured list. That's his lowest average in a start since early May and more than a full mile per hour below his 93.4 mph season average.

For a pitcher who relies heavily on command and deception, even a small decline in velocity can make a significant difference. When that velocity drop comes alongside trouble repeating a delivery, it becomes much easier to understand why Ryan wasn't producing the same results.

Another Test for Ryan

There have been a few warning signs surrounding Ryan's health this season.

He missed time during Spring Training because of lower back discomfort. In May, he exited a start after just one-third of an inning because of elbow pain. Six days later, he returned to pitch one of his best games of the season. His most recent start before going on the injured list was also pushed back three days because of what was described as arm fatigue. 

None of those situations necessarily point to one major problem. But taken together, they make Ryan's current recovery more important than simply getting him through a minor-league outing.

The Twins need to know that Ryan's body is allowing him to execute the delivery he has used so effectively throughout his career. Tuesday's game in Omaha should provide that opportunity.

The results won't matter nearly as much as the process. Can Ryan repeat his delivery? Does his fastball have its usual life? Can he attack hitters without compensating for his lower body? Most importantly, does he finish the outing feeling like himself?

Ryan appears to be making progress, and his comments after facing live hitters suggest he finally feels more in control of his body. That's encouraging. Now, the Twins need to see that feeling translate to the mound in Omaha.