Chicago — Joe Ryan, a crucial component of the Twins’ pitching rotation, has been a steady performer this season, significantly contributing to Minnesota’s competitive position in the AL Central. However, his recent outing took a concerning turn when he signaled to the Twins’ dugout in the third inning of Wednesday’s game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, indicating an issue that led to his early exit. The Twins ultimately fell to the Cubs, 8-2, and later disclosed that Ryan had left the game due to tightness in his right triceps.
Manager Rocco Baldelli attempted to downplay the severity of the situation, stating, “It doesn’t seem like a major issue, but he was not going to be able to continue pitching.” Baldelli emphasized the need for patience, suggesting that the team would need a few days to assess Ryan’s condition and determine the extent of the injury. He added, “We need to give him some time and see how he responds. It’s unfortunate and disappointing, but it’s not something we can’t handle. We still have a significant portion of the season remaining, and he’ll have time to recover.”
During the game, Ryan’s performance was interrupted after he gave up a solo home run to Michael Busch in the first inning but then managed to retire the next five Cubs batters. However, when Pete Crow-Armstrong led off the third inning, Ryan’s 0-2 splitter missed its mark, prompting him to signal to the dugout. Following a brief discussion with Baldelli and head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta, Ryan walked off the mound, ending his day on the field.
Ryan was unavailable for comment post-game, and the specifics of his injury remain unclear. It is anticipated that the triceps issue may sideline him for some time, though the precise duration is yet to be determined. Baldelli acknowledged the uncertainty, saying, “We don’t have enough information at this point to provide detailed insight. It’s likely he’ll miss some time, but we’ll need to wait for more information. He should have ample opportunity to return and contribute to our games this season.”
In Ryan’s absence, reliever Trevor Richards took over and faced a challenging situation, warming up on the field before coming in. Richards struggled, recording only two outs and allowing three runs while issuing five walks and two wild pitches. Reflecting on his performance, Richards said, “I felt fine physically. I wasn’t missing by much; if the strike zone was a bit larger, a lot of those pitches would have been strikes. It was just one of those days where things didn’t go right.”
Joe Ryan has been a standout performer for the Twins this season, leading the team with 13 quality starts out of 23 appearances, posting a 3.60 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP across 135 innings. His absence is particularly notable given that the Twins are already coping with the losses of key players such as center fielder Byron Buxton and shortstop Carlos Correa. The team’s depth will be tested as they navigate the remainder of the season without one of their top pitchers.
