Joe Ryan is already back in action, throwing just days after being scratched from his start due to lower back discomfort. Twins manager Derek Shelton confirmed that Ryan played catch from 90 feet this morning.
The good news is that imaging revealed only inflammation, so there's hope he'll be ready for Opening Day. With Pablo López sidelined by Tommy John surgery, Ryan's health becomes even more crucial for the Twins' playoff aspirations.
However, his availability for the World Baseball Classic remains uncertain.
Assuming Ryan is set to go, he'll lead a rotation followed by Bailey Ober and Simeon Woods Richardson. The competition for the final two spots should be fierce, with Zebby Matthews, Taj Bradley, Mick Abel, and possibly David Festa in the mix.
Marco Raya, however, is shifting gears. The 23-year-old prospect has transitioned to the bullpen, a move confirmed by the Twins as permanent.
Raya impressed in his spring debut, pitching a flawless inning with a strikeout against Tigers minor leaguers. His shift isn't shocking, considering his struggles with control in Triple-A, where he walked nearly 13% of batters and posted a 6.02 ERA.
Now focusing on short relief, Raya might streamline his repertoire, potentially mitigating his control issues.
The Minnesota bullpen has openings, with Taylor Rogers, Anthony Banda, Justin Topa, Kody Funderburk, and Cole Sands likely locked in. That leaves three spots up for grabs, and the Twins have invited several veteran arms on minor league deals to compete for those roles.
Among the hopefuls is Julian Merryweather, who is vying for a spot despite an unfortunate start. Merryweather left his first Grapefruit League game with a left hamstring strain after walking one and striking out another. The battle for bullpen positions promises to be an intriguing storyline as the season approaches.