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After an eight-run implosion turned a potential win into a blowout loss Saturday, Twins fans might have wondered how much worse things could get. They didn't have to wait long to find out. Just two batters into Sunday's game, Joe Ryan was walking off the mound and heading toward the clubhouse, leaving behind more questions than answers.
Ryan struck out the first hitter he faced and appeared to be settling in. However, after issuing a walk to Toronto third baseman Kazuma Okamoto on his ninth pitch, the right-hander signaled to the dugout. Moments later, his day was done. The Twins quickly announced that Ryan exited with right elbow soreness, a phrase that immediately grabs attention for any pitcher.
“He walked out and said he felt something in his elbow,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said during an in-game interview. “It’s unfortunate, especially this early in the game, but it’s something we’ve got to deal with. Hopefully Joe’s in a good spot.”
Back on February 21, Ryan was forced out of what was supposed to be his first spring outing due to lower back tightness. He worked his way back by March 10, made three spring starts, and did not miss a turn once the regular season began. Now, it's anyone's guess when he might take the mound again.
Over the course of his career, Ryan has quietly been one of the more reliable starters in the league. From 2022-25, he averaged 27.5 starts and 153.6 innings per season, consistently taking the ball every fifth day. There have been minor bumps along the way, including back inflammation, a minor shoulder injury, and a groin issue he attempted to pitch through in previous seasons, but nothing that significantly derailed his availability.
That reliability has been paired with strong performance in 2026. Entering Sunday, Ryan owned a 3.76 ERA with a 118 ERA+ and a 1.04 WHIP. His underlying numbers painted an even more encouraging picture. A 25.2% strikeout rate and a 5.8% walk rate highlight his command, and a 2.99 FIP suggests he has pitched better than his ERA indicates.
All of that makes this early exit feel even heavier. The Twins aren't just losing innings if Ryan misses time. They are potentially losing one of the most stable and effective arms in their rotation.
In the immediate aftermath, Andrew Morris was asked to pick up the pieces out of the bullpen. Morris has been operating in a long relief role, a somewhat awkward middle ground for a pitcher who many believed was next in line for a rotation spot. If Ryan is sidelined, Morris could be stretched back out into a starting role, though that transition is rarely seamless.
Beyond Morris, the Twins do have reinforcements, but each comes with its own level of uncertainty. Mick Abel is nearing a return from the injured list and was off to an impressive start before going down. Zebby Matthews, already on the 40-man roster, endured early struggles this season but has begun to show signs of progress. Kendry Rojas, who debuted earlier this year in a relief capacity, has been building back up as a starter after missing time.
None of those options fully replace what Ryan provides when he is right. That's what makes the coming days so critical for Minnesota. Elbow soreness can mean many things, ranging from precautionary rest to something far more serious. The Twins will be hoping this leans toward the former.
For now, the focus shifts from Sunday’s game to the status of one of their most important pitchers. The Twins have navigated adversity before, but losing Ryan for any stretch would test their depth in a significant way. It would probably prove more than they could handle, without freefalling toward another summer deconstruction.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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- thelanges5 and Patzky
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