The Minnesota Twins’ worst fears have come true as pitcher Joe Ryan’s injury appears to be far more serious than initially anticipated. As the team prepares for a crucial weekend series against the Cleveland Guardians, devastating injury news has cast a shadow over their playoff hopes.
On Friday morning, the Twins announced that pitcher Brock Stewart’s season is officially over following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. While fans had been bracing for this news after Stewart was placed on the IL, it was a tough blow nonetheless. There is hope that Stewart will be ready for Spring Training next year, but he will not be able to contribute to the team’s current campaign.
However, the bad news didn’t stop there. The real shock came with the update on Joe Ryan, who left Wednesday’s start against the Chicago Cubs with what was initially thought to be a minor right triceps strain. Unfortunately, an MRI revealed that Ryan has suffered a major Grade 2 teres strain, a much more severe injury than expected, which could potentially end his season.
Joe Ryan’s MRI Results Indicate Severe Injury, Potentially Out for Months
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, speaking after Wednesday’s game, initially conveyed optimism, suggesting that Ryan’s injury didn’t seem serious or long-term based on his conversation with the pitcher. This gave Twins fans a glimmer of hope, but that hope was crushed with Friday’s news.
The exact timeline for Ryan’s recovery remains unclear, but there is a strong possibility that he could be sidelined for “months,” a dire prospect with only one month remaining in the regular season.
Ryan’s Injury Comes at the Worst Possible Time
Ryan’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Twins. The team is in the midst of a tight race with the Guardians for the AL Central title, and losing one of their key pitchers is a massive setback. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that the Twins did not acquire additional starting pitching help at the trade deadline, a decision that now looks even more problematic.
With Ryan potentially out for an extended period, the Twins will need to rely on their internal options to fill the significant gap in their starting rotation. This unexpected turn of events has put the team in a precarious position as they fight to stay competitive in the final stretch of the season.
Leave a Reply