Twins Relieved by Joe Ryan's Back Injury Update

Pitcher expected to be ready for Opening Day, but World Baseball Classic participation now in question.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 10:34pm

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Twins pitcher Joe Ryan was scratched from a spring training game on Saturday due to low back tightness, causing concern among fans. However, imaging tests revealed only inflammation, and Ryan is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. While the Twins will let the injury calm down for a few days, there is now uncertainty around Ryan's availability for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Why it matters

Ryan is a key part of the Twins' starting rotation, and his health is crucial for the team's success. The news of his injury, coming shortly after the announcement of Pablo López's season-ending injury, had raised concerns among Twins fans. The team's ability to manage Ryan's recovery and determine his participation in the World Baseball Classic will be important for their pitching depth and preparation for the upcoming season.

The details

Ryan had already begun preparing for the day's game but had not yet thrown off the bullpen mound when he decided to shut things down, recognizing that his body was compensating and that he should not push it further. The Twins will have Ryan work with the training staff on core stability exercises to help the injury calm down over the next few days.

  • On Saturday, the Twins announced that Ryan had been scratched from the Grapefruit League opener against the Boston Red Sox.
  • Imaging taken on Saturday revealed that Ryan's injury was just inflammation, with no more serious issues.

The players

Joe Ryan

The Twins' starting pitcher who experienced low back tightness and was scratched from a spring training game, but is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Jeremy Zoll

The Twins' general manager, who stated that the team does not envision Ryan's injury affecting his readiness for Opening Day, but acknowledged the uncertainty around his availability for the World Baseball Classic.

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What they’re saying

“I'm sorry to scare everyone.”

— Joe Ryan

“We want to make sure that we're being as responsible as possible, but also we know that it's important to a lot of people to have the best players pitching in that. So we've just got to balance all those factors and see where it comes out.”

— Jeremy Zoll, General Manager

What’s next

The Twins will work through conversations with Ryan and his agent to determine the best course of action regarding his participation in the World Baseball Classic, balancing his health and the importance of having the best players compete in the tournament.

The takeaway

This injury scare for the Twins highlights the importance of managing pitchers' health, especially early in the spring, and the delicate balance teams must strike between preparing for the regular season and allowing players to participate in high-profile international competitions like the World Baseball Classic.