Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Twins will play baseball in 2026 (it’s not as certain they will in 2027). Before the regular season starts though, baseball will take over on the world stage. The World Baseball Classic returns in 2026, and Team USA will be looking to hand Japan the loss that Shohei Ohtani and company gave them last time around.
There is a ton of talent to choose from for the Americans this time around. The roster has started to take shape, and Byron Buxton was named to the preliminary group. It appears as though he may not be the only participant from the MN Twins.
Joe Ryan confirmed for Team USA roster
When the Minnesota Twins originally traded Nelson Cruz to the Tampa Bay Rays for Joe Ryan, the minor leaguer was pitching for Team USA in the Olympics. This time around he’ll be pitching for the club in the World Baseball Classic. He joins former teammate Griffin Jax once again.
It’s time for the Joe Ryan experience 😤
He will play for Team USA in the 2026 #WorldBaseballClassic! pic.twitter.com/BUMNE77kLZ
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) December 17, 2025
When pitching for Team USA in the Olympics, Joe Ryan was a 25-year-old with a 3.63 ERA for Triple-A Durham. Now set to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, he’s a 29-year-old coming off a 3.42 ERA (3.74 FIP) with the Minnesota Twins.
Last season was Ryan’s best in the big leagues. At the All-Star Break he had a 2.72 ERA and looked the part of a Cy Young contender. Unfortunately he tailed off down the stretch, and was nearly traded as well.
2025 PitchingNinja Sweeper of the Year Award. 🏆
Winner: Joe Ryan
30.5 inches of Horizontal Break 😳 pic.twitter.com/S1TS4IkeXg
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 8, 2025
Minnesota is now content to keep both Ryan and Pablo Lopez while building around them. They have new minority investors and a change in messaging from the top. How much they push chips in to support their stars remains to be seen, but this team can probably compete with limited upgrades.
New manager Derek Shelton’s biggest hope has to be that Ryan gets ready prior to Spring Training as he’ll be playing in high profile environments before the season starts. If Ryan can be effective and healthy through World Baseball Classic action, it may jumpstart what could be another step forward this year.
Mentioned in this article: Joe Ryan
More About: Minnesota Twins
Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.