Joe Ryan injury: Twins pitcher could miss rest of regular season with shoulder strain

The Twins' attempt at chasing down the Guardians will have to occur without their top starter

By R.J. Anderson Aug 9, 2024 at 12:51 pm ET• 1 min read

The Minnesota Twins will begin a pivotal four-game set against the Cleveland Guardians, the team they trail by 3 1/2 games in the American League Central, on Friday afternoon. Before that contest could get underway, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli announced an unfortunate development for his club, revealing that right-hander Joe Ryan had been diagnosed with a Grade 2 teres major strain in his right shoulder. Baldelli told reporters the injury will sideline Ryan for "weeks to months."

Ryan, 28, has since been placed on the injured list. (Right-hander Scott Blewett was promoted to take his spot on the active roster.) In 23 starts this season, he's amassed a 3.60 ERA (115 ERA+) and a 6.39 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Ryan suffered the injury on Wednesday, departing his start against the Chicago Cubs after throwing 29 pitches.

The teres major, for those not aware, is a muscle that connects the scapula and the humerus. It's the same muscle that Texas Rangers starter Max Scherzer strained last September. That injury cost him a month of action and nearly prevented him from pitching in the postseason as part of the Rangers' World Series run.