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Joe Ryan is the latest Twins pitcher to make a second Opening Day start in last 10 years

He was the obvious pick. Now, he joins a hefty list of recent repeat Opening Day starters.
ByPJ Potter|
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Apr 8, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (41) delivers a pitch to Seattle Mariners second base Adam Frazier (26) during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (41) delivers a pitch to Seattle Mariners second base Adam Frazier (26) during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images | Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins' starting rotation for the 2026 season is set. Leading the staff this campaign will be Joe Ryan, who will take the ball for Minnesota on Opening Day.

Ryan, who was named an All-Star for the first time in 2025, will pitch at Camden Yards in Baltimore on March 26. This will mark the second time in his career that he will start the Twins' first game of the year. The Twins will oppose left-hander Trevor Rogers on Opening Day in Baltimore.

Now, before the 2026 season commences, let's take a trip down memory lane to reminisce on the Twins' most recent Opening Day starters. There are plenty of repeats.

Looking back on last 10 Opening Day starters for Minnesota Twins

2025: Pablo López

  • Opponent/Result: at Cardinals, 5-3 loss
  • Stat line: 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, LOSS
  • Final season numbers: 5-4, 2.74 ERA, 75.2 IP, 73/20 K/BB

2024: Pablo López

  • Opponent/Result: at Royals, 4-1 win
  • Stat line: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, WIN
  • Final season numbers: 15-10, 4.08 ERA, 185.1 IP, 198/41 K/BB

2023: Pablo López

  • Opponent/Result: at Royals, 2-0 win
  • Stat line: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K, WIN
  • Final season numbers: 11-8, 3.66 ERA, 194 IP, 234/48 K/BB

2022: Joe Ryan

  • Opponent/Result: vs. Mariners, 2-1 loss
  • Stat line: 4 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, LOSS
  • Final season numbers: 13-8, 3.55 ERA, 147 IP, 151/47 K/BB

2021: Kenta Maeda

  • Opponent/Result: at Brewers, 6-5 loss
  • Stat line: 4.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, ND
  • Final season numbers: 6-5, 4.66 ERA, 106.1 IP, 113/32 K/BB

2020: José Berríos

  • Opponent/Result: at White Sox, 10-5 win
  • Stat line: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, ND
  • Final season numbers: 5-4, 4.00 ERA, 63 IP, 68/26 K/BB

2019: José Berríos

  • Opponent/Result: vs. Guardians, 2-0 win
  • Stat line: 7.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, WIN
  • Final season numbers: 14-8, 3.68 ERA, 200.1 IP, 195/51 K/BB

2018: Jake Odorizzi

  • Opponent/Result: at Orioles, 3-2 loss
  • Stat line: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, ND
  • Final season numbers: 7-10, 4.49 ERA, 164.1 IP, 162/70 K/BB

2017: Ervin Santana

  • Opponent/Result: vs. Royals, 7-1 win
  • Stat line: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, WIN
  • Final season numbers: 16-8, 3.28 ERA, 211.1 IP, 167/61 K/BB

2016: Ervin Santana

  • Opponent/Result: at Orioles, 3-2 loss
  • Stat line: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, ND
  • Final season numbers: 7-11, 3.38 ERA, 181.1 IP, 149/53 K/BB

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