Joe Ryan Leaves MN Twins Game After Two Batters

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MLB: Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins are trying to get their season back on track before it goes too far off the rails. Sunday felt like a perfect opportunity to make that happen.

Not only is it a beautiful day at Target Field, drawing one of the nicer crowds this season, but ace pitcher Joe Ryan was on the mound, giving the Twins arguably their best chance to win during this four-game series.

Then, the game started and we were quickly reminded that, as Minnesota Twins fans, we are not allowed to have nice things, or even nice dreams.

Minnesota Twins ace leaves early vs Blue Jays

Immediately after his second pitch today, Ryan dropped his chin and motioned to the dugout. Moments later, he left the field with Twins trainers with what is being reported as “elbow soreness.” His replacement was recently recalled Andrew Morris, one of Minnesota’s top prospects.

While the 24-year-old right-handed talent pitched admirably, allowing zero runs in four innings of work, he is not Joe Ryan, at least not at this point in his career. No matter how well the MN Twins finish today, they cannot replace another ace pitcher, if Ryan’s injury is serious.

Through his first seven starts of 2026, Joe Ryan has a 3.76 ERA, 2.99 FIP, 1.043 WHIP and 118 ERA+. He started out the season striking out everyone, but has slowed down of late, amassing 39 total strikeouts in 38.1 innings, vs just 9 walks. Joe walked his last batter on Sunday, meaning that number has now reached double-digits.

What we know so far about Joe Ryan injury…

Based on how the 29-year-old Ryan reacted to his final pitch, Justin Morneau — who’s working today’s game on Peacock — believed there was something going on with the elbow pregame.

Joe Ryan missed the WBC back in March because of a back injury that cropped up early in Spring Training, but it does not seem like that has anything to do with the elbow issues he is having today.

Derek Shelton all but confirmed that there was some soreness Sunday, before his start. During an on-field interview in the third inning, the MN Twins manager told the Peacock broadcast, “I think there’s some soreness in there,” indicating he may have known something was going on earlier.

If there are any updates during or after today’s Minnesota Twins vs Toronto Blue Jays game, it will be added to this article.

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