Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan (41) leaves the game with assistant athletic trainer Masamichi Abe after being injured during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (KNFL/KFGO/AP) — Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan left Sunday’s start against the Toronto Blue Jays with right elbow soreness after facing just two batters.
Ryan struck out Yohendrick Piñango to start the game. He then walked Kazuma Okamoto and immediately signaled to catcher Victor Caratini and the dugout. After conferring with manager Derek Shelton and an athletic trainer, Ryan left the game.
The Twins announced the reason for Ryan’s departure an inning later. Rookie Andrew Morris came on in relief, pitching for the sixth time this season.
Ryan (2-3, 3.76 ERA) made his first All-Star appearance in 2025 and was the unquestioned ace of the Minnesota rotation with Pablo López out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in February. Ryan has been remarkably healthy, making 30 starts last season and at least 23 each of the previous three seasons.
Chosen to play in the World Baseball Classic, Ryan did leave his first spring start with lower back tightness. But he went on to make three spring starts and made all seven scheduled starts this season, including on opening day in Baltimore.
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