Overview
- Joe Ryan returned to Minnesota on Wednesday to be evaluated by Twins head physician Dr. Christopher Camp after his third straight poor start, manager Derek Shelton said.
- He has allowed 16 earned runs on 25 hits over 15 1/3 innings in his last three starts and took his third consecutive loss following Tuesday’s 8-2 defeat in Kansas City.
- Ryan’s average four-seam fastball velocity fell to about 92.1–92.2 mph in his most recent outing, down from a roughly 93.4–93.5 mph season mark, which team doctors are treating as a sign of lower-body rather than arm trouble.
- His next scheduled turn on Sunday in Milwaukee is in doubt and the Twins are considering placing him on the 15-day injured list while using recent deadline additions such as Dean Kremer and internal options like Zebby Matthews to cover the rotation.
- Ryan was a two-time All-Star and Minnesota’s best first-half starter, so the medical findings and any roster move will have direct effects on the Twins’ wild-card push and determine whether the club leans on its new depth down the stretch.