Twins ace Joe Ryan leaves after 9 pitches Sunday

The Minnesota Twins removed right-hander Joe Ryan after just nine pitches due to right elbow soreness during Sunday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ryan fanned leadoff man Yohendrick Pinango on three pitches, then walked Kazuma Okamoto. After Ryan’s full-count fastball to Okamoto finished above the zone, he waved for manager Derek Shelton and trainer Nick Paparesta to come out to the mound.

After a brief conversation, Ryan headed to the dugout.

The Twins’ Opening Day starter was making his eighth start of the season. While he carried a 2-3 record and 3.76 ERA into Sunday’s game, he owned a 1.043 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings.

Ryan dealt with lower back issues during spring training, which included the need for an MRI exam, but did not miss any turns this season.

Minnesota already has three starting pitchers on the injured list: Pablo Lopez (elbow), David Festa (shoulder) and Mick Abel (elbow). Lopez tore his ACL during spring training and underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Abel posted a 1-2 record and a 3.98 ERA in four appearances (three starts) before being shelved in mid-April, but he’s expected back relatively soon.

Ryan, who made his major league debut in 2021, has fashioned a 48-39 record and a 3.79 ERA in 123 appearances (122 starts).

–Field Level Media