Minnesota Twins star might have avoided serious injury after being forced to leave game

The Minnesota Twins may have avoided a major scare. MLB pitchers have been dropping like flies over the past few weeks, so after Joe Ryan was forced to leave his most recent start, the worst was feared. After just nine pitches in his start, Ryan left due to elbow discomfort; now, early fears of a serious injury have been eased. An MRI revealed no structural damage, a best-case scenario for both Ryan and the Twins.

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A Frightening Early Exit

Concern set in immediately when Ryan exited in the first inning. After just nine pitches, he signaled to the dugout and left the game with a trainer—never a good sign, especially when the issue involves the elbow.

Ryan later explained he felt discomfort unlike anything he’d experienced before, prompting him to act cautiously. The Twins, understandably, followed suit and pulled him right away.

Positive Test Results Bring Relief

The MRI results delivered the news everyone in Minnesota was hoping for: No structural damage. That doesn’t guarantee everything is completely fine, but it significantly lowers the risk of a long-term absence or major procedure. Even more encouraging, Ryan has already resumed light throwing and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session, which will be a key step in determining his next move.

At this point, there’s a real possibility Ryan won’t require a stint on the injured list. That outcome would be a huge win for the Twins, who rely heavily on his consistency in the rotation. Still, the team will be cautious. Elbow discomfort is never something to rush, and how Ryan responds to his bullpen session will likely determine the timeline.