The Minnesota Twins faced a troubling moment when pitcher Joe Ryan had to leave Sunday’s game after just two batters due to elbow soreness. He walked Toronto Blue Jays player Kazuma Okamoto on his ninth pitch, after striking out the first batter.
Ryan’s fastball has shown a drop in speed this season, averaging 91.6 mph during the game compared to 92.6 mph last year, according to Baseball Savant. Ryan believes the change might be due to mechanical issues, not injury-related.
Twins manager Derek Shelton confirmed Ryan’s injury concerns during an in-game chat, saying Ryan felt something in his elbow. He expressed hope for Ryan’s condition but acknowledged the setback. This comes after losing All-Star pitcher Pablo López to Tommy John surgery earlier in the season, which was a significant blow to the team’s rotation.
Ryan missed almost 50 games last season due to a shoulder injury but bounced back strong in 2025, earning his first All-Star selection with impressive stats: 194 strikeouts and a 3.42 ERA.
Despite the injury, many thought Ryan could still be a valuable trade asset later this year, especially with a season and a half of team control left. As the Twins aim to stay competitive in a weak American League Central, maintaining key players like Ryan is crucial.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first injury scare for Ryan this spring. He had to exit his first training start due to lower back tightness but quickly returned to the mound. The Twins and their fans will be watching closely to see how Ryan recovers this time.
A recent report from ESPN highlighted the rise in elbow injuries among pitchers, linking it to the increasing speed of the game and throwing mechanics. As pitchers push their limits, staying healthy becomes essential not just for individual success but for team dynamics as well.
For more insights on player injuries and their impact on teams, you can check ESPN for up-to-date reports and analysis.
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Minnesota Twins, Fantasy Baseball, MLB
