Joe Ryan of the Twins talks about being frustrated by injuries during a big season.
“At this point, it’s difficult to process,” the starting pitcher said of the tension in his shoulder.
Mid-August Joe Ryan is feeling, for the most part, better than he has in a long time.
Because of this, the Twins starter was taken aback when an MRI on Friday revealed a Grade 2 strain in the teres major in his right shoulder. According to injury management Rocco Baldelli, this ailment is anticipated to keep the player out for “weeks to months.”
In the second inning of Wednesday’s game against the Cubs, Ryan ended his start, and on Friday, the team officially placed him on the 15-day disabled list.
“The most annoying thing about it has to be that I’m not feeling as good as I am right now anywhere else in comparison to previous seasons,” Ryan stated prior to his team’s Saturday night game at Target Field against Cleveland. I feel physically and psychologically as young as I’ve ever been. I believe that’s the most difficult aspect to handle since everything feels fantastic.
Ryan, who has started 23 games this season and is 7-7 with a 3.60 ERA and 147 strikeouts, will now miss time as the Twins get ready for the crucial stretch of the season.
After sweeping the Guardians in a doubleheader on Friday, Ryan’s squad came into Saturday night one game and a half behind Cleveland for first place in the American League Central. “It’s definitely hard to digest right now,” Ryan remarked.
“Watching the guys succeed so much has been amazing (Friday).” I’m just going to make an effort to be there for the team, participate, and most likely spend a bit more time in and around the dugout.
“The timing is just peculiar for the year. You’re filled with anticipation and have a lot of ideas for the remainder of the season. Then, all of a sudden, you’re told to wait and do some additional tasks.
Although Ryan finds the injury aggravating, he doesn’t think it will have a long-term impact on him.
“It’s in probably the best-case scenario region,” he said. “It does not appear to be anything that will persist or cause problems in the future.
“Recovery will just take some time.”
Ryan’s season may not be finished, according to Baldelli, who expressed optimism about the pitcher’s ability to return for a possible postseason run on Friday.
Ryan remarked, “Last year was the most fun I’ve had on a baseball field for a long, long time,” following the Twins’ 2023 Wild Card Series sweep of Toronto, which snapped an 18-game losing run in the postseason. I hope I don’t have to skip that particular portion.
“But even if I don’t, I’ll be here supporting everyone.”
Blewett returns to the majors
Right-hander Scott Blewett, whose contract the organization picked from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, is taking up Ryan’s position on the roster.
This summer, Blewett pitched for the Saints in 36 games (three starts), going 5-2 with a 3.66 ERA and 52 strikeouts. The last time the former Kansas City Royals second-round selection played in a major league game was on September 19, 2021.
After August of last year, he played for a while with the Uni-President Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan, as well as minor league stints with the Chicago White Sox (2022) and Atlanta Braves (2023).
In January, he agreed to a minor-league deal with the Twins.
Returning to the majors “felt so far away at times,” he remarked. “I’m really appreciative of the chance to be here this year. In Triple-A, I could throw the ball fairly well. I have this opportunity right now.
As Blewett got closer to turning 26 in 2022, he thought about quitting the game. He had mentioned that he was thinking about going into real estate after receiving his license in Arizona.
“I didn’t even know if I’d have a job (in baseball) after the lockout (which ended in March of 2022),” he added. I gave myself a deadline because it’s almost my birthday. The White Sox signed me to a minor-league contract at 5 p.m. on April 9, and my birthday was April 10.
Baldelli stated on Saturday that he anticipates Blewett to assist in whatever capacity that may be required.
Baldelli remarked, “He’s a big, strong guy with a really good arm.” “He provided us with some excellent deeds in St. Paul. He will be called upon to assist us in whatever manner that we may require it.
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