The Minnesota Twins faced a tough setback during their opening Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox when starting pitcher Joe Ryan was unexpectedly removed from the roster just minutes before the game began on Saturday morning. Scheduled to be the starting pitcher, Ryan was scratched 15 minutes before first pitch and replaced by Eston Stull after experiencing tightness in his lower right back while warming up.
The Twins confirmed the decision quickly, with Dan Hayes of The Athletic reporting that Ryan was sidelined due to
“low back tightness on his right side”
, highlighting concerns about his health as spring training had just begun. This development came shortly after ace pitcher Pablo Lopez suffered a season-ending UCL tear earlier in the week, requiring Tommy John surgery.
Joe Ryan has been scratched from today’s start with low back tightness on his right side. #MNTwins— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) February 21, 2026
Rotation Crisis Deepens as Minnesota’s Hopes Hinge on Young Talent
With Pablo Lopez ruled out for the entire season due to his elbow injury, the Minnesota Twins have now seen their other leading starter, Joe Ryan, sidelined right at the outset of spring training with an uncertain back issue. This marks a severe blow to a starting rotation that was widely regarded as the team’s main strength heading into 2026.
Before the injury, Joe Ryan had been a bright spot in the Twins’ pitching staff, posting a 3.42 ERA with a 1.035 WHIP and striking out 194 batters over 171 innings in 2025. At 30 years old and with an All-Star caliber season behind him, Ryan was expected to anchor the rotation alongside Lopez. Now, Minnesota’s chances in 2026 heavily depend on less proven young players stepping up across multiple positions and innings.
Even Bailey Ober, who recorded a career-high 13 wins last year, is not considered ready to carry the weight of a true second starter in the majors. The surprising injuries have left the Twins scrambling to fill gaps in a rotation once seen as a competitive advantage.
Challenges Mount as Twins Face Tough Start to Spring
The timing of Joe Ryan’s sudden back tightness comes as a crushing blow to a team already dealing with the fallout from Pablo Lopez’s Tommy John surgery. Twins owner Tom Pohlad’s optimism about the spring has been met with harsh reality, as these injuries test the organization’s depth and resilience.
As of now, the severity of Ryan’s back pain remains unclear, but the Twins cannot afford to lose—not even temporarily—either of their primary starting pitchers this season. The next steps will likely involve thorough evaluations to determine the extent of Ryan’s injury and any needed treatment, making the early weeks of spring training critical for him and the team’s prospects.
Joe Ryan has been scratched from today’s start… Info coming shortly.— Declan Goff (@DexsTweets) February 21, 2026
Despite the setbacks, the Twins will need at least some of their younger pitchers to quickly rise to the occasion if they hope to stay competitive within their division. The looming questions around their rotation could significantly shape the team’s strategies before the regular season officially begins.
Joe Ryan has been scratched from today's start… Info coming shortly.
— Declan Goff (@DexsTweets) February 21, 2026
Joe Ryan has been scratched from today's start with low back tightness on his right side. #MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) February 21, 2026
