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Joe Ryan MRI Reveals “Best Case Scenario” for Minnesota Twins
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- Joe Ryan MRI Reveals “Best Case Scenario” for Minnesota Twins
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Twins lost their first Grapefruit League game of 2026 spring training on Saturday to the Boston Red Sox , a game that was played without the Twins' scheduled starter, Joe Ryan .
Just 15 minutes before he was scheduled to take the mound, Joe felt tightness in his lower back so the Twins scratched him from the lineup card . Ryan then underwent MRI testing yesterday, meaning fans woke up this morning anxious for an update on their 2026 ace.
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Joe Ryan injury update brings good news for Minnesota Twins
Thankfully, we didn't have to wait long. Better yet, Joe Ryan's injury update is GOOD news. According to Dan Hayes (The Athletic) , the back tightness that got Joe Ryan scratched from yesterday's spring training game was caused by inflammation, which was the "best case scenario" going into the MRI.
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Good news for #MNTwins : Joe Ryan's MRI showed only inflammation. Best case scenario.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) February 22, 2026
Joe Ryan was replaced on the mound Saturday afternoon by Bryce Stull, who performed admirably in his place, tossing two innings of one-hit ball. He struck out one Red Sox hitter, and allowed one solo home run.
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At the start of the third inning, Stull was replaced by third-year pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson , who's expected to slot in as Minnesota's fourth starter, now that Joe seems to be fine for his Opening Day start next month.
Ryan's status for WBC (Team USA) still in question
What we do not know yet is whether or not Joe Ryan will keep his spot in the Team USA rotation for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. When he was scratched yesterday, his chances of competing in the WBC fell dramatically.
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Joe Ryan 2025 Stats : 171 IP | 194 SO | 39 BB | 3.42 ERA | 1.035 WHIP | 3.74 FIP | 125 ERA+ | 4.5 WAR
We are 41 Days away from Opening Day!
Let's take a look at Joe Ryan's 2026 Projections:
29 GS
171.0 IP
11-9 Record
3.62 ERA
188 Strikeouts (9.89 K/9)
1.12 WHIP
3.72 FIP
26.6% K%
5.9 BB%
.227 BAA
3.2 fWAR
(via OOPSY Projections)
After ending his 2024 season with a right… pic.twitter.com/DqsPJ9qT89— Ride The Pine (@RideThePineMLB) February 13, 2026
If Joe's lower-back inflammation costs him the contract insurance he's required to carry as a WBC participant on an MLB 40-man roster, he won't play. I'd imagine the 29-year-old will also drop out if he and the Minnesota Twins decide that playing in the World Baseball Classic could put his season at too great of a risk.
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The Minnesota Twins NEED Joe Ryan in their starting rotation all season long, especially after Pablo Lopez went down with a torn UCL . Unless GM Jeremy Zoll makes a surprise trade between now and Opening Day, Ryan will enter 2026 as the only proven big league starter new manager Derek Shelton has available to him.
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