Twins All-Star Joe Ryan Poised for Return in Detroit Series
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CHICAGO — The Minnesota Twins, fighting to keep their postseason aspirations alive, are close to getting a significant boost: All-Star right-hander Joe Ryan appears ready to rejoin the rotation. Ryan, who has been on the injured list for nearly a month because of a left glute strain, threw a brief bullpen session of 25 to 30 pitches Saturday afternoon at Rate Field, just before the Twins took on the Chicago White Sox.
“It felt good to get out there,” Ryan said. “I was throwing as hard as I was in the rehab game in the bullpen early. That’s probably a good thing.”
The session came after he made a rehab start Tuesday with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, tossing three innings and 42 pitches against the Royals’ affiliate. He allowed just one run, a solo home run, and reported no setbacks. The bullpen work on Saturday allowed him to continue refining his mechanics, particularly ensuring his delivery would not aggravate the injury.
“I felt a lot more consistent this week in being able to be around the team, kind of stick to a routine, work with some people and do some things I haven’t been able to do for a while,” Ryan added. “It was good to have a good week of that. Felt great.”
Manager Derek Shelton stopped short of confirming a specific date but gave a strong indication that Ryan’s next start will be in the big leagues. “I think we’ll wait and see where he’s at, but I would say there’s a good chance that his next start would be in the big leagues,” Shelton said. The team heads to Detroit after Sunday’s game in Chicago, making a start there the most likely scenario.
Ryan’s absence began after a rough stretch in the second half. In three starts before landing on the IL, he allowed 16 earned runs across 15 1/3 innings, and he acknowledged feeling off mechanically. The rehab assignment gave him time to reset. “I obviously want to come back and make a push. I didn’t want to miss this time in the first place,” Ryan said. “It’s been tough mentally to deal with that. I thought it was going to be a lot quicker. A little longer to get back. It’s definitely been frustrating, but I’m happy to hopefully have the opportunity to come back pretty soon.”
The Twins’ playoff odds had dropped to just 4% entering Saturday, making Ryan’s potential return a critical factor in their slim chances. Shelton noted the team didn’t have a predetermined number of rehab starts for Ryan, preferring to assess his progress step by step.
In other lineup news, Shelton moved rookie Kaelen Culpepper up to the second spot in the batting order for the first time in his career. Culpepper, who entered Saturday with a .301 average and a 128 OPS+, had primarily hit eighth or ninth since his call-up. “It’s one of those things that if you continue to play well, you’re going to get different opportunities,” Shelton said. “This seemed like the opportunity to be able to do that.”
Sunday’s series finale against the White Sox will feature Bailey Ober (7-4, 4.37 ERA) for the Twins, opposed by Sean Burke (8-6, 3.20 ERA). The game was moved to a 5:20 p.m. start and will be televised on Peacock.
Article commentary
Joe Ryan’s imminent return from the injured list represents a pivotal moment for the Minnesota Twins, whose playoff odds have slipped to a mere 4% with less than a month left in the regular season. The right-hander, a first-time All-Star this year, has been sidelined since late July with a left glute strain, an injury that disrupted what had been a promising campaign. His rehab process, which included a brief Triple-A outing and a bullpen session in Chicago, appears to have gone smoothly, and manager Derek Shelton’s cautious optimism suggests the team is ready to reintegrate him into the rotation. From a strategic standpoint, Ryan’s return could not come at a more critical time. The Twins’ rotation has struggled with consistency, and the team has lost ground in the wild-card race. Ryan’s presence, even if not at peak form, would provide a veteran arm capable of eating innings and delivering quality starts. However, his performance in the weeks before the injury was concerning: in three second-half starts, he allowed 16 earned runs in 15 1/3 innings, indicating mechanical issues that may not be fully resolved. The rehab assignment gave him a chance to reset, but the question remains whether he can regain the form that earned him an All-Star nod. Shelton’s decision to move rookie Kaelen Culpepper up to the second spot in the lineup is another notable adjustment. Culpepper has been a bright spot, hitting .301 with a 128 OPS+, and the promotion rewards his consistency. For a team needing offensive spark, such lineup changes are a sign of the urgency within the clubhouse. Objectively, the Twins’ playoff chances are slim, but baseball is a sport where momentum can shift rapidly. Ryan’s return, combined with a favorable schedule, could be the catalyst for a late surge. The psychological boost of having an All-Star back in the rotation cannot be underestimated. Still, the margin for error is razor-thin. The front office and coaching staff will need to manage Ryan’s workload carefully, ensuring he does not reinjure himself while trying to overcompensate. Overall, this situation highlights the delicate balance between medical caution and competitive desperation. The Twins are threading a needle: they need Ryan’s arm to make a run, but they cannot afford to rush him back and risk a setback. The coming days in Detroit will offer clarity on whether the gamble pays off.