Joe Ryan, Twins Not on Same Page Regarding Injury

The Minnesota Twins have watched Joe Ryan become their ace in 2024. In the middle of his most recent outing against the Chicago Cubs he went down injured. Diagnosed with a teres major strain, it doesn’t appear all parties had the same thoughts when the injury came to light.

Minnesota Twins Joe Ryan getting a second opinion

After Joe Ryan removed himself from a start against the Chicago Cubs, Rocco Baldelli was hopeful. Announced as a triceps injury, that was good news for his elbow. Diagnosed as a grade 2 strain of the teres major, it seems as though his season could now be over.

Ryan doesn’t seem to love that prognosis. He feels fine, according to Darren “Doogie” Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP), who is reporting today on the Mackey & Judd Show that Ryan is flying to the West Coast to seek a second opinion on Thursday.

“Second opinion coming today (Thursday). He’s flying out to Los Angeles., Dr. Neal El Attrache. That’s who Joe Ryan is going to go see today for a second opinion. Here’s what’s crazy on the Joe Ryan situation. The next day, after everything took place, he woke up the next morning not thinking he was going to miss a start. He still feels fine. Clearly we know he’s got this teres major strain. Dr. Neal is going to take a look at it today and offer a second opinion, which might mirror what the Twins have said.”

Darren Wolfson (Mackey & Judd – SKOR North)

Dr. El Attrache’s opinion will be the next step in this process. However, the Minnesota Twins starting rotation could certainly use Joe Ryan in it. He has been the best pitcher on the staff this season. That has been a huge boost given the slide that Pablo Lopez has displayed.

Related: Did You See How Hard Joe Ryan is Throwing Now?

Through 23 starts, Ryan has posted a 3.60 ERA and generated a 3.2 fWAR that ranks him amongst the best pitchers in baseball.

Minnesota Twins could use a better Joe Ryan timeline

Dr. El Attrache is the team doctor for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also did Karl-Anthony Towns’ surgery this past season. The Minnesota Twins would certainly benefit if his opinion is less serious regarding Joe Ryan. As things stand, the Twins ace would miss 6-8 weeks.

That would ultimately end his season, and any potential for the postseason becomes an issue as well. Nonetheless, even if the Twins’ original diagnosis is confirmed, surgery is not expected to be deemed necessary.

“There isn’t a belief that [Joe Ryan] needs surgery. Everything I’ve heard is there’s not a belief that surgery is needed. I would lean more optimistically, maybe he could be back sometime, in mid to late September. That maybe this isn’t a season ending injury. But again, let’s see what Dr, Neal decides. I don’t want to go too far down that rabbit hole until I hear what takes place with this doctor’s visit.”

Darren Wolfson (Mackey & Judd – SKOR North)

Chris Paddack is currently out for the Twins, and that means the rotation is without two of the Opening Day arms. Youth like David Festa and Zebby Matthews have been forced to step up. How they fare in the midst of a division race, and into the playoffs, remains to be seen.

Related: Minnesota Twins Could Still Luck into Pitching Help… if Pohlads Play Ball

It has never been more imperative that both Pablo Lopez and Bailey Ober throw well. The former has been hit-or-miss this season, while the latter has been among the most underrated arms in baseball.