Twins' Joe Ryan WBC update suggests he may pitch biggest game of his career with USA

Twins' Joe Ryan set to join Team USA for WBC if nation defeats Team Canada

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan is set to join Team USA after the quarterfinals, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. Ryan will replace Kershaw on the roster, assuming Team USA defeats Canada at Daikin Park in Houston on Friday.

Ryan was originally supposed to be on Team USA's roster for pool play, but back tightness that delayed his 2026 Grapefruit League debut left him off the team. If he had been healthy, he probably would have started against Team Italy on Tuesday. Instead, Team USA went with 24-year-old righty Nolan McLean, who allowed three earned runs on two homers and two walks over three innings en route to suffering the loss.

Ryan finally made his 2026 Grapefruit League debut against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. His fastball velocity was a bit down, mostly sitting in the 92–93 mph range, but that's expected for a pitcher making a delayed spring debut. During the outing, Ryan threw three shutout innings while allowing two hits and two walks.

Joe Ryan may pitch biggest game of his life next week

Ryan would likely pitch in the championship game if Team USA makes it that far, which won't be easy. If it advances past the quarterfinals, the United States will play the winner of the South Korea-Dominican Republic quarterfinal matchup. The Dominican Republic is heavily favored to defeat Korea. Led by stars Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatís Jr. and others, the country has looked absolutely dominant this tournament (4-0).

If the United States makes it to the championship, the nation will face either Japan, Venezuela, Puerto Rico or Italy. Based on roster strength, the most likely teams to make the championship on that side of the bracket are Japan and Venezuela. Both nations will face each other in the quarterfinals on Saturday night.

Let's say the United States makes it to the championship game. Ryan and McLean would be the main candidates to start for Team USA. The candidate who doesn't start the game (assuming the United States makes it) could enter the game as a reliever.

Based on how McLean's last outing went and his lack of MLB experience, DeRosa may be inclined to start Ryan in the finals if Team USA makes it that far. Since making his MLB debut with Minnesota in late 2021, Ryan has posted a 3.79 ERA with an elite 27.6% strikeout rate and 5.7% walk rate.

Seeing Ryan pitch in the championship would be awesome for Twins fans, but Team USA must take care of business first for that to happen.