Twins' Joe Ryan Misses Start with Sore Back, Putting WBC Participation in Jeopardy

The Twins sent their All-Star pitcher for an MRI after he was a late scratch before a scheduled start against the Red Sox.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 10:55pm

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Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan missed Saturday's scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox due to lower right back tightness. The team sent Ryan for an MRI, but details about his condition were limited. Ryan's scratch raises questions about his potential participation in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, which he was expected to play in for Team USA.

Why it matters

Joe Ryan is the Twins' best pitcher and a key part of their rotation. Any injury to him could have significant implications for the team's season. Additionally, Ryan's involvement in the WBC is important for Team USA, so his status for that tournament is closely watched.

The details

Ryan was scratched from his start against the Red Sox just 10 minutes before first pitch due to the back tightness that came up during his pregame preparation. The Twins sent him for an MRI to get a better understanding of the injury, but manager Derek Shelton said there was 'day-to-day soreness' that led to the late scratch.

  • On February 21, 2026, Joe Ryan was scratched from his scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox.
  • Ryan was expected to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic starting at the end of March 2026.

The players

Joe Ryan

The Minnesota Twins' All-Star right-handed pitcher who was scratched from a spring training start due to lower back tightness, putting his participation in the upcoming World Baseball Classic in jeopardy.

Derek Shelton

The manager of the Minnesota Twins who announced that Ryan was scratched from his start and sent for an MRI due to the back issue.

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What they’re saying

“'It happened during his prep work. We sent him for imaging just to be sure. … There is day-to-day soreness with everybody, but this is something that came up.'”

— Derek Shelton, Twins Manager

What’s next

The Twins will wait for the results of Ryan's MRI to determine the severity of the back injury and whether it will impact his ability to participate in the upcoming World Baseball Classic for Team USA.

The takeaway

This injury to the Twins' top pitcher highlights the risks and challenges teams face when their star players compete in international tournaments like the WBC during spring training. The Twins will need to carefully monitor Ryan's recovery to ensure he is healthy for the start of the MLB season.