The Minnesota Twins concluded their series against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday with Joe Ryan on the mound. While he allowed a home run to Minnesota native Michael Busch, it was an injury in the third inning that garnered significant attention.
Joe Ryan Exits for Minnesota Twins
Rocco Baldelli started his top pitcher, Joe Ryan, for the final game of the interleague series against the Chicago Cubs. Despite the home run by Busch, Ryan was performing well until he threw a pitch in the third inning and immediately signaled to trainer Nick Paparesta. After a few innings of evaluation, the injury was identified as an arm issue.
It’s rare for updates during a game to indicate the need for surgery, and the hope is that the Twins have avoided a severe injury for their ace. Ryan has been the standout pitcher in the rotation this season, and any extended absence would be a significant blow for the team.
Minnesota Twins Feeling the Impact of Trade Deadline Decisions Early
Just eight days after the trade deadline, the Minnesota Twins are facing the consequences of their decisions, largely attributed to ownership’s reluctance to spend. This has left the front office struggling to bolster either the rotation or the bullpen, with Trevor Richards being the sole addition. Despite his reverse splits, there is little enthusiasm about him as a middle relief option.
Ryan’s potential absence from the rotation would significantly impact the team’s depth. Louie Varland is scheduled to start during Friday’s doubleheader, Randy Dobnak is currently on the roster, and Zebby Matthews is the only other starter available for call-up.
Following Ryan’s early exit, Richards’ performance was notably poor. He only threw 41% strikes across 41 pitches and walked five batters. His performance matched his season statistics, and he will need at least the Thursday off day to recover. The Twins are hoping Ryan’s triceps injury will be minor; anything more severe would be difficult to handle.
The Twins will likely have to play their upcoming series against the Guardians and Royals without Ryan, making it crucial for them to secure as many wins as possible.
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