![\"Joe](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/MLB-All-Star-American-League-at-National-League-26647408-scaled-e1771770749545.jpg\")
Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Minnesota Twins lost their first Grapefruit League game of 2026 spring training<\/a> on Saturday to the Boston Red Sox, a game that was played without the Twins\u2019 scheduled starter, Joe Ryan.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>. Ryan then underwent MRI testing yesterday, meaning fans woke up this morning anxious for an update on their 2026 ace.<\/p>\n Joe Ryan injury update brings good news for Minnesota Twins<\/p>\n Thankfully, we didn\u2019t have to wait long. Better yet, Joe Ryan\u2019s injury update is GOOD news. According to Dan Hayes (The Athletic)<\/a>, the back tightness that got Joe Ryan scratched from yesterday\u2019s spring training game was caused by inflammation, which was the \u201cbest case scenario\u201d going into the MRI.<\/p>\n Good news for #MNTwins<\/a>: Joe Ryan\u2019s MRI showed only inflammation. Best case scenario.<\/p>\n \u2014 DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) February 22, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n Joe Ryan was replaced on the mound Saturday afternoon by Bryce Stull, who performed admirably in his place, tossing<\/a> two innings of one-hit ball. He struck out one Red Sox hitter, and allowed one solo home run.<\/p>\n At the start of the third inning, Stull was replaced by third-year pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson, who\u2019s expected to slot in as Minnesota\u2019s fourth starter, now that Joe seems to be fine for his Opening Day start next month.<\/p>\n Ryan\u2019s status for WBC (Team USA) still in question<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Joe Ryan 2025 Stats<\/a>: 171 IP | 194 SO | 39 BB | 3.42 ERA | 1.035 WHIP | 3.74 FIP | 125 ERA+ | 4.5 WAR<\/p>\n We are 41 Days away from Opening Day!<\/p>\n Let’s take a look at Joe Ryan’s 2026 Projections:<\/p>\n 29 GS After ending his 2024 season with a right\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/DqsPJ9qT89<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ride The Pine (@RideThePineMLB) February 13, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n If Joe\u2019s lower-back inflammation costs him the contract insurance<\/a> he\u2019s required to carry as a WBC participant on an MLB 40-man roster, he won\u2019t play. I\u2019d 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.<\/p>\n The Minnesota Twins NEED Joe Ryan in their starting rotation all season long, especially after Pablo Lopez went down with a torn UCL<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: injury updates<\/a> Joe Ryan<\/a> <\/p>\n More About:Minnesota Twins<\/a><\/p>\n Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google. \t\t\t
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)<\/p>\n![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/google_preferred_source_badge.png\"){kind=icon}
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