FORT MYERS, Fla. — Joe Ryan says he doesn’t do deep dives on social media and he doesn’t go on X, but he is still aware that him being scratched from Saturday’s game on the heels of the news of Pablo López’s season-ending injury sent Twins fans into a panic.
“I’m sorry to scare everyone,” the Twins’ starter said.
In truth, Ryan himself wasn’t very concerned when some low back tightness came up on Saturday, but he knew it was best to take extra precaution, particularly this early in spring. Fifteen minutes before he was supposed to throw the first pitch of the Grapefruit League opener against the Boston Red Sox, the Twins announced Ryan had been scratched.
Imaging taken Saturday revealed the best-case scenario for the all-star pitcher — just inflammation, nothing more serious. The Twins will let it calm down for a few days, and Ryan has already started working with the training staff on core stability exercises.
Ryan had already began preparing on the field for the day’s game but had yet to throw off the bullpen mound when he decided to shut things down. He could start to feel his body compensate and knew not to push it further.
“I think I’ve learned a lot of lessons over the years of pitching through things that I probably shouldn’t pitch through and that will carry over longer,” Ryan said. “We made the decision that won’t affect anything going forward. We can tackle it. I’m not worried about it.”
While general manager Jeremy Zoll said the Twins don’t envision this affecting his readiness for Opening Day, there’s still a question as to how this might impact his availability for the World Baseball Classic. Ryan is slated to compete for the United States in the tournament that begins on March 5 and ends on March 17. Right now, Ryan said he was “not taking anything off the table.”
As things progress, Zoll said they would work through conversations with Ryan and his agent to come to the best decision.
“We want to make sure that we’re being as responsible as possible,” Zoll said. “But also we know that it’s important to a lot of people to have the best players pitching in that. So we’ve just got to balance all those factors and see where it comes out.”
Taylor, Pressly in camp
It’s not uncommon to see Twins greets like Tony Oliva, Bert Blyleven, Johan Santana and Justin Morneau among the former players wandering around camp this time of year. In recent days, the Twins have added a pair of recently-retired players to the mix, too.
Outfielder Michael A. Taylor, who played for the Twins in 2023 and the Pisstburgh Pirates under current Twins manager Derek Shelton in 2024, and former Twins reliever Ryan Pressly have been in camp working with players. Shelton said the duo reached out to Zoll this offseason to express their interest in returning. Both retired after last season. Taylor, 34, has 12 years of major-league experience while Pressly, 37, has 13.
“We would be crazy not to put those guys in our clubhouse,” Shelton said. “No. 1, the character that they are. And No. 2, their knowledge and experience they have. We’re looking at two guys who have both won World Series. Champions. I love the fact that they wanted to come back and be Twins.”
Briefly
Outfielder Alan Roden hit a grand slam in the Twins’ 8-1 win over the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park. Roden, acquired in the Louie Varland trade last July, is in the hunt for an outfield spot. Emmanuel Rodriguez, one of the Twins’ top prospects, went 2 for 2 with a home run and a nice grab in right field, while Kendry Rojas, a top pitching prospect, threw two scoreless innings and struck out three. … The Twins will take on reigning two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal when they head to Lakeland to face the Detroit Tigers on Monday. Mick Abel, who is vying for a spot in the rotation, will start for the Twins.
Joe Ryan #41 of the Minnesota Twins looks on prior to the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Minnesota Twins Alan Roden reacts after hitting a grand slam home run in the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in North Port, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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