Joe Ryan, the Twins’ All-Star starting pitcher, is officially back on the mound! Minnesota activated Ryan off the 15-day IL on Monday, and he’s slated to start today’s game against the Detroit Tigers. This return is absolutely massive for a team that’s currently fading hard in the American League Wild Card race.
Can Ryan Ignite a Playoff Push?
Right now, the Twins are staring down a 4.5 game deficit, trailing the Cleveland Guardians for that third and final Wild Card spot. Can you believe it? We’re talking the final few weeks of the regular season here, so every single game, every single pitcher, every single out, matters. For Minnesota to have even a glimmer of a playoff shot, their absolute best guys *have* to be healthy and pitching lights out. Ryan’s return is exactly what they’ve been desperate for, especially after he missed a whole month with a nasty left glute strain. To make room, they optioned right-hander Garrett Acton down to Triple-A. The pressure is seriously on, though, because before he hit the IL, Ryan gave up 16 earned runs in just three starts post-All-Star break. He needs to shake that off, and fast, if the Twins want any shot at keeping this thing alive.
A Season of Comebacks and Scares
Look, Ryan’s health has been a real wild ride all season long, almost like a separate storyline itself. As Charlie Wright over at MLB Trade Rumors put it, this isn’t his first trip to the injury list, not by a long shot. He battled back discomfort way back in the spring, but somehow came back strong for Opening Day. Then, just when you thought he was clear, in early May he had another scare with elbow pain. But again, the dude recovered quickly and even made his very next start. Then, near the end of July, he was scratched with “arm fatigue” but guess what? He still didn’t miss any time! This guy has been through the wringer, but kept finding a way back. He recently threw 42 pitches in a Triple-A rehab outing at St. Paul, which is a good sign he’s building back up. Despite all the injury woes and time missed, his season numbers are still pretty darn solid: a 3.65 ERA with a 1.138 WHIP and 138 strikeouts over 125.2 innings. If he can tap into that All-Star form, it could absolutely be the game-changer the Twins need right now.
So, can Joe Ryan step up today against the Tigers and be the stopper the Twins desperately need? His performance in these final weeks is going to dictate whether they can truly make a push or if their postseason dreams fizzle out. Every pitch he throws from here on out is going to be under a microscope. Let’s see if he can deliver the goods and spark a comeback for Minnesota.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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