Less than two hours after Puckett's Pond published an article about three Twins players (Joe Ryan, Ryan Jeffers and Josh Bell) who could be moved by the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline, Ryan exited Minnesota's Sunday game against the Toronto Blue Jays with right elbow soreness after facing just two batters. We don't know the severity of the injury yet. Best-case scenario: Ryan has a similar injury to Mick Abel, who landed on the IL with right elbow inflammation two weeks ago and threw a bullpen session on Saturday. Worst-case scenario: Ryan needs Tommy John surgery, which would sideline him for the rest of the season and likely the beginning of the 2027 season.
Twins SP Joe Ryan's injury could completely change trade market
If Ryan, who has a 3.72 ERA over 38 2/3 innings in 2026, needs season-ending surgery, the Twins will be forced to hold on to the righty for the remainder of the year. While Minnesota could still trade him in the offseason or at next year's Trade Deadline, the righty's trade value would be significantly lower than it would be this summer.
Let's say Ryan ends up missing the rest of the season. In that case, Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara would likely be the top starting pitcher on the market unless the Detroit Tigers decide to make back-to-back AL Cy Young award-winner Tarik Skubal available. Simply put, the price for Alcantara will probably increase if Ryan isn't available.
Many thought the Twins should've traded Ryan last summer. And when Minnesota held on to Ryan for the remainder of the season, the righty's name reemerged in trade talks in the offseason. While injuries are unpredictable, Ryan being sidelined for the rest of the year would certainly make the Twins' brass wish they had traded him either last summer or in the offseason.
How will Twins' starting rotation look if Ryan lands on IL?
If Ryan misses significant time, Minnesota's rotation would be left with arguably its two best starters, López and Ryan. While Abel appears to be on the verge of returning from the IL, the Twins probably want the former Phillie to make a rehab start first. For now, the Twins could either recall Zebby Matthews to take Ryan's spot in the rotation or give Andrew Morris, who hurled 3 2/3 innings in relief of Ryan on Sunday as the Twins beat the Blue Jays 4-3, a start or two. But once Abel returns, assuming Ryan will land on the IL, the Twins' rotation will likely consist of Abel, Taj Bradley, Bailey Ober, Connor Prielipp and Simeon Woods Richardson, who is in danger of losing his rotation spot due to his awful 6.49 ERA over 34 2/3 innings this year. If Woods Richardson continues to struggle, he could be moved to the bullpen while Matthews or Morris takes his rotation spot.
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