Joe Ryan appears close to returning from the IL. Ryan made a rehab start with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints early last week and threw a bullpen session on Saturday. Multiple reports have suggested he could return as soon as this week.
When Ryan returns, one Twins starter will lose their rotation spot. Minnesota could roll with a six-man rotation for the rest of the season, but it's more likely one of the current starters will move to a bullpen role.
First, let's establish who will definitely not lose their rotation spot. Taj Bradley and Bailey Ober appear to be safe. That leaves Dean Kremer, Connor Prielipp and Zebby Matthews as the top candidates to be cut from the rotation when Ryan is reinstated from the IL.
There are reasons to believe any one of those three starters could lose their rotation spot. When the Twins acquired Kremer from the Baltimore Orioles ahead of the trade deadline, Matthews lost his rotation spot. Because Ryan landed on the IL with a glute strain in early August, the Twins quickly recalled Matthews after optioning him to the Saints. Matthews likely earned a spot in the rotation for the rest of the season, as he has posted a strong 3.50 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 36 innings across six starts since being recalled in early August.
That leaves Kremer and Prielipp as the top candidates to lose their rotation spot. Kremer had a strong first two starts with the Twins, allowing just two runs over 12 innings, but has struggled since, surrendering 15 runs across four starts.
Prielipp is coming off a strong start in which he hurled five scoreless innings with five strikeouts on Sept. 1. However, he struggled significantly in August, posting a 7.76 ERA in 26 2/3 innings across five starts.
Prediction: Twins LHP Connor Prielipp will lose rotation spot when Joe Ryan returns from IL
If I had to bet, I'd put money on Prielipp losing his rotation spot when Ryan returns. Between the majors and Triple-A, Prielipp has pitched 122 2/3 innings this season, a career high for the southpaw. He also set a career high in innings last season with 82 2/3.
Prielipp hasn't thrown many innings in his career because he's suffered various serious injuries. The Twins selected him in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft even though he pitched just 28 innings during his collegiate career. After being drafted, Prielipp threw just 6 2/3 innings in 2023 and 23 1/3 innings in 2024.
Putting Prielipp in a bullpen role for the rest of the season could be wise for Minnesota. And if the Twins make a surprise playoff run, Prielipp could be a valuable relief arm in the postseason.
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