Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan was placed on the injured list after suffering a potentially season-ending shoulder injury on Wednesday. Ryan exited his start on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs alongside the Twins training staff after experiencing arm tightness. He threw four pitches to Pete Crow-Armstrong before signaling to the dugout and exiting the game in the third inning. Shortly after his departure, the Twins revealed that Ryan was experiencing right triceps tightness.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/bnhYiSE9yN
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 9, 2024
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters postgame that he didn’t anticipate Ryan’s injury being a “large-scale” issue, but he would “miss some time.” On Thursday, the 28-year-old right-hander underwent an MRI which revealed a Grade 2 right teres major strain. Ryan’s shoulder injury is more severe than the Twins anticipated, with Baldelli saying his recovery will take “weeks to months.” Minnesota placed Ryan on the 15-day injured list for now, and selected the contract of right-hander Scott Blewett from Triple-A St. Paul to take his place. Brock Stewart, who is headed for season-ending shoulder surgery, was placed on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Minnesota reinstated infielder Kyle Farmer and placed infielder Brooks Lee on the 10-day injured list as well with biceps tendinitis.
Minnesota was unable to acquire a starting pitcher before the trade deadline, making the timing of Ryan’s injury particularly devastating. With Anthony DeSclafani out for the season and Chris Paddack sidelined with a forearm strain, the Twins rotation depth is already stretched thin.
Twins Place Joe Ryan On Injured List With Grade 2 Shoulder Strain
Ryan has been a fixture in the Twins rotation since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021. The 28-year-old has been Minnesota’s most reliable starter in 2024, tossing 135 innings with a 3.60 ERA. Ryan has a solid 27.3% strikeout rate paired with a 4.3% walk rate ranking in the 96th percentile.
Louie Varland was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul as the Twins’ 27th man and will start the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians. Depending on Ryan’s recovery, Varland could finish the regular season in Minnesota’s rookie-heavy rotation alongside veteran right-handers Pablo López and Bailey Ober.
At 63-50, the Twins have a half-game hold on the AL Wild Card. They also remain in a tight race for the division lead. Minnesota began a potentially critical four-game series against the division-leading Guardians on Friday.
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