The Twins Need Joe Ryan’s Stability

The Minnesota Twins activated staff ace Joe Ryan from the injured list on Monday. He had not pitched since an August 4 game against the Kansas City Royals, missing time with a strained left gluteal muscle.

Prior to his return, Ryan made a rehab start at Triple-A St. Paul last Tuesday and turned in a successful bullpen session on Saturday.

On Monday afternoon on the road against the Detroit Tigers, Ryan took a hard-luck loss, giving up three runs (two earned) in 4.0 innings, striking out seven.

The All-Star right-hander returned to the Twins with 19 games left in the regular season. After a 10-1 pounding by the Chicago White Sox on Sunday and a 5-4 loss to the Tigers on Monday, Minnesota is four and a half games back of the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League Wild Card spot. Hopes are fading fast for Twins fans.

The Twins are hoping that Ryan can replicate his performance from the season’s first half over his final few starts. He went 6-5 with a 2.85 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 110 1/3 innings. For those efforts, he was named to his second consecutive All-Star Game, in which he pitched an inning of shutout ball.

His second half marked a sudden turn for the worse. In his first three starts post-All-Star break, he allowed 16 runs (9.39 ERA) and surrendered seven home runs while striking out only 10 batters in 15 1/3 innings. Shortly after, he was placed on the 15-day injured list.

Injury Issues Have Long Plagued Ryan

Injuries have plagued Ryan in the past. In 2022, his first full season in the major leagues, he missed three weeks of the season after contracting COVID-19. The next year, he missed time with groin and tricep/shoulder injuries, which also limited his effectiveness.

On Aug 7, 2024, Ryan was placed on the 60-day injured list with a Grade 2 teres major strain behind his right shoulder. But he came back strong in 2025. Last season, he pitched a career-high 31 games, throwing 171 innings while sporting a 3.42 ERA and striking out 194 hitters.

He only missed one game due to illness and was selected to play in his first All-Star Game. But the injury bug struck Ryan again early this season. He experienced lower back tightness and inflammation during spring training. This may have been exacerbated by his participation in the World Baseball Classic.

He also left a game in early May with elbow pain but returned for his next scheduled start. Then, near the end of July, Ryan was scratched with arm fatigue but again did not miss a starting assignment. He recently said that his rehab time from his latest injury was more prolonged than expected.

Minnesota’s Fleeting Playoff Hopes

What was supposed to be a strength for the Twins, their starting rotation, has been beset by injuries and inconsistent performances.

In addition to Ryan’s latest IL stint, Pablo López, David Festa, and Mick Abel are all out with season-ending injuries. Returning starter Simeon Woods Richardson flamed out early and was dispatched to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Veteran Bailey Ober has suffered a loss of velocity, which has clouded his future with the team. Connor Prielipp and Zebby Matthews have had some nice moments, with Matthews in particular starting to live up to his potential. Still, both pitchers have had their struggles too. Recent pickup Dean Kremer does not appear to be the answer.

Yet, despite all that, the Twins have held on.

Of course, no one thought that Ryan and the Twins would be competing for a playoff spot in 2025. After last season’s trade deadline sell-off of 11 players and lackluster player procurement in the offseason, many people were predicting a 100-loss season for the team.

Most people assumed that Ryan and catcher Ryan Jeffers would be cast off midseason to some needy playoff contenders. But a combination of weak performances by the American League’s best teams and inspired performances from Twins players such as Josh Bell, Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, and Taj Bradley has allowed the team to stay competitive all season.

The Task Ahead for Ryan and the Twins

Time is running out for the playoff hopes of Ryan and his Twins teammates. With the just-completed 2-1 series loss to the White Sox, their goal of winning the AL Central crown has all but vanished. And with four teams ahead of them in battle for the final Wild Card berth, that door could also close quickly.

But at the very least, the future looks positive for the Minnesota Twins and their fans. They have exciting young position players like Keaschall, Kaelen Culpepper, and Walker Jenkins, and an improved bullpen with Yoendrys Gomez leading the way.

And with Ryan and Bradley forming the nucleus of a solid rotation, the Twins could be a force to be reckoned with in the AL Central in 2027.