The Twins Were Right About Joe Ryan’s Injury

Joe Ryan has been out of the Minnesota Twins starting rotation since exiting his last start, on August 7 vs the Chicago Cubs, in the 2nd inning. At the time, he thought the injury was minor, so did the Twins.

Then, the MRI results came back. That’s when Twins doctors diagnosed Ryan with a grade two teres major (shoulder) strain. It’s an injury that takes weeks, even months, to heal from. With his season possibly over, Joe Ryan was in disbelief. According to reports, he had little to no pain and felt mostly fine.

So, Joe boarded a plane and flew out to Los Angeles to get a 2nd opinion from the Dodgers’ team doctor, renowned shoulder specialist, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, to make sure Twins doctors were seeing things correctly.

Joe Ryan’s grade two teres major strain confirmed

In his notes column that dropped in Saturday’s Star Tribune, Phil Miller writes that Dr. ElAttrache, after evaluating the 28-year-old‘s injury, agreed with Twins. Grade two strain, meaning Joe’s season could very well be over.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache … agreed with the Twins’ diagnosis of Joe Ryan’s injury: a Grade 2 strain of the teres major muscle in his shoulder, an injury that will sideline the righthander for several weeks and perhaps the remainder of the season.

Phil MIller – Star Tribune

2023 Max Scherzer helps Minnesota Twins fans understand what to expect

According to medical experts, Joe is looking at over a month on the shelf, possibly as long as three months. Max Scherzer had the same type of injury late last summer. He suffered his grade two teres major strain on September 12, and returned October 19, to pitch for the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship, vs the Houston Astros.

Related: MN Local TV Stations in Contact with Twins, Wild and Timberwolves

It did not go well. Scherzer gave up 5 hits and 5 earned runs in 4 innings pitched, during his return. He made two more starts during Texas’ World Series run, and got better as he pitched more. But his body was clearly not ready. The 3x Cy Young winner left that championship start with a back injury, one that needed surgery in the offseason.

Max Scherzer left Game 3 of the World Series early due to back tightness.

He threw 36 pitches.

🎥: @MLBONFOX pic.twitter.com/Bh92DHfhgA

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 31, 2023

Scherzer’s team hoisting the trophy, in the end. He started one WS game (3 IP, 2 H, 0 R), and finished with a 6.52 ERA, 6.36 FIP, in 9.2 IP playoff line. Opponents hit .306, with a 1.016 OPS against him.

I cannot see the Minnesota Twins rushing Joe Ryan back, like that. Nonetheless, Scherzer’s situation from 2023 does display a plausible scenario where we see Ryan re-joins the Twins rotation for the MLB Playoffs, which begin anytime between October 1-5, depending on seeding.

Related: If the Minnesota Twins Can Just Limp to the Regular Season Finish Line…

If the Twins can earn a Wildcard bye, which they’re currently in line for, it’d be seven weeks between now and their first playoff game. That’s about two more weeks than what Scherzer got, before forcing himself back onto the mound.