The Twins are making a late change to their rotation, and it’s Joe Ryan who’s headed to the sideline for now.
Manager Derek Shelton told reporters, including Aaron Gleeman of AaronGleeman.com, that the right-hander will not start tonight against the Athletics because of arm fatigue. Minnesota is hopeful Ryan can take the ball in an upcoming series against the Royals, and Mike Paredes will get the start in his place.
Any time the word “arm” enters the conversation, the concern level rises. That’s especially true here, with Ryan already having dealt with elbow pain in May. That issue never cost him a trip to the injured list, and the Twins are clearly hoping this is just another short pause rather than something more serious.
The timing is notable because Ryan’s last outing was rough in a way he hasn’t seen much this season. On Monday against the Guardians, he was tagged for eight earned runs in four innings, and Cleveland went deep on him six times.
Home runs have been part of Ryan’s story at different points in his career, but he’d done a much better job keeping the ball in the park before that outing. Over his previous 15 starts, he had allowed seven home runs.
For now, Minnesota doesn’t look ready to treat this as a bigger roster or deadline signal. The Twins split their series in Cleveland and now have a softer run coming up against the A’s and Royals. Even with a loss on Friday, they sit just three games back of the final AL Wild Card spot, and team chairman Tom Pohlad has said he wants the club to put a competitive product on the field.
Ryan, 30, has still been in the middle of another solid season. He owns a 3.38 ERA, backed by a 3.47 xERA and 3.32 SIERA.
His 27.8% strikeout rate and 5.3% walk rate line up neatly with his usual numbers. On Monday, his sinker and slider were down about a mph, though his four-seamer sat at 93.2 mph, essentially right where it has been all year.
Injuries have shown up for Ryan before, but not often in ways that have taken him out for long stretches. He missed a few starts with a groin strain in 2023, and a shoulder strain ended his 2024 season in August. This year, though, he put together a healthy run, setting career highs with 31 appearances and 171 innings.
In Other News...
Royals Fans Need To See This Bobby Witt Jr. Update
Salvador Perez has already tied George Brett with 317 career home runs as a Royal, so every trip to the plate now carries a little extra weight for Kansas City. At the same time, the Royals recent move to add Nate Pearson gives the bullpen another arm to sort through, while the organization continues to monitor the health of several players who matter to the roster picture.
The bigger concern for fans, though, is the latest injury picture around the lineup and infield, with Bobby Witt Jr. still part of the conversation as the club tries to keep its season on track. Add in the fact that Kendry Chourio, Josh Hammond and Angeibel Gomez showed up in the latest FanGraphs top 100, and there is plenty for Royals followers to track beyond the box score as the next wave of updates comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Royals Make Another Outfield Move Fans Have Seen Before
Kameron Misner is on the move again, and this one sends a familiar name from Kansas Citys outfield pipeline to Philadelphia for cash considerations. The Phillies optioned Misner to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and cleared a 40-man roster spot by designating Steward Berroa for assignment, a straightforward transaction on paper but one that fits a broader pattern for a player the Royals have already cycled through once.
For Kansas City, the move is another reminder of how quickly outfield depth can turn over, especially with players in their final minor league option year. Misners time in the majors with the Royals was brief, and Berroa now enters a familiar roster squeeze of his own, with the possibility of staying in the organization if he clears waivers and is outrighted to Triple-A. [Read more 🡒]
Royals May Have Finally Found Their Outfield Answer In Brewers Trade
The Royals decision to bring in Isaac Collins and Nick Mears has started to look a lot more interesting as Collins keeps carving out a real role in Kansas Citys outfield mix. What began as a trade addition has turned into something closer to a lineup solution, with Collins giving the club a left-handed bat and a steadier presence in a spot that had been looking for answers.
For Milwaukee, the timing only sharpens the contrast. Right field has been the Brewers weakest position this season, and Collins recent surge has only made it easier to imagine how much he might have helped there. Kansas City, meanwhile, has reason to believe it may have landed not just a useful piece for now, but one it can keep building around for years to come. [Read more 🡒]