Twins ace Joe Ryan undergoing MRI exam in injury concern that could have WBC implications

Twins right-hander Joe Ryan has gone down with a back injury which could jeopardize his participation in this year’s World Baseball Classic.

Ryan, 29, was scratched from his scheduled spring training start on Saturday because of lower back tightness, and was set to undergo an MRI exam to find out more about his condition.

“It happened during his prep work,” Twins manager Derek Shelton told reporters, according to The Athletic. “We sent him for imaging just to be sure. … There is day-to-day soreness with everybody, but this is something that came up.”

Minnesota’s Joe Ryan pitches during the first inning of a the Twins’ loss to the Phillies on Sept. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. AP

The exact details of Ryan’s injury and a potential timeline to return still remain unclear.

Ryan’s apparent injury also raises concern about if he would be able to pitch for Team USA in the WBC in March. He is expected to join the team in Houston at the end of the month.

Despite Ryan needing to be ready earlier in the offseason to account for the WBC, he has previously said that he did not make many changes to his preparation.

“It didn’t feel like this crazy overhaul in any way,” Ryan told reporters earlier this month. “We just started things a little bit earlier and let the program and the process take care of the rest.”

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan throws pitch during a game last season. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Ryan is coming off of his best season in the MLB in which he pitched to a 13-10 record with a 3.42 ERA and 194 strikeouts through 30 starts, earning him his first career All-Star appearance.

His injury also comes just a day after fellow Twins righty Pablo Lopez announced that he will be undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery.

“I don’t think its hit me yet,” López told reporters on Friday. “It’s sitting definitely heavy. … I think it’s going to hit me harder next week when (surgery) happens and all of that. We knew what we were looking at. I think I’m a pretty realistic person.

“I know what’s in front of me.”