Joe Ryan has a 9.39 ERA in three starts since the All-Star break. David Berding / Getty ImagesAug. 5, 2026 5:26 pm EDT Updated KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Minnesota Twins All-Star pitcher Joe Ryan’s next start is in doubt; he is returning home to be evaluated for back and glute issues, the club said Wednesday.Twins manager Derek Shelton said Ryan, who lost a third straight post-All-Star start Tuesday, already left the team to be evaluated by team physician Chris Camp in Minneapolis.“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Shelton said. “He’s frustrated and not able to replicate his delivery. … The ability to repeat his delivery, I’m not going to say it’s not physical. But we owe it to him and to us to find out what he’s feeling and how he’s going about it.”
Ryan spoke cryptically about what he’s experiencing after taking the loss Tuesday night in Kansas City. Asked directly whether he was physically capable of doing what he wants with his delivery, Ryan said: “No. Definitely not.”Ryan allowed five runs (four earned) in 5 1/3 innings and is carrying a 9.39 ERA in his past three outings, allowing 25 hits over 15 1/3 innings. Ryan surrendered a major-league record six home runs in a July 20 start at Cleveland, his first after making his second All-Star Game appearance the week before.The Twins described Ryan as working through arm fatigue and afforded him extra time after his Cleveland start. He pitched again nine days later, taking a loss against Kansas City at home, allowing four earned runs in six innings.Shelton said the belief is Ryan’s issues aren’t arm-related but instead are related to his lower half.
