FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Minnesota Twins All-Star right-hander Joe Ryan is expected to be available for the start of the season after an MRI revealed only inflammation in his lower back.
Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said Sunday that Ryan, the team's expected Opening Day starter, will rest for a few days. Ryan had the MRI after tightness in his lower back forced him to miss his scheduled start in Saturday's spring game.
"He's just dealing with some inflammation and as a result has some tightness," Zoll told reporters Sunday. "So he'll be down for a few days here just to let things calm down. We'll progress him as tolerated and don't envision this impacting his readiness for Opening Day."
The encouraging update on Ryan was especially important after Twins ace Pablo López will have Tommy John surgery and is out for the season. Zoll announced Tuesday that López has a "significant tear" in his right ulnar collateral ligament.
Ryan, 29, was 13-10 with a 3.42 ERA in 2025 while making his first All-Star team.
Though Ryan is expected to be ready for Opening Day, the inflammation and tightness in his lower back leaves his status uncertain for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
"I'm sorry to scare everyone," he told reporters Sunday.
Ryan, who agreed to a $6.2 million deal to avoid arbitration, is expected to be joined in the rotation by right-hander Bailey Ober, who is under pressure to bounce back and be a reliable No. 2 starter.
Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews and David Festa are 25-year-old right-handers who have combined to make 98 starts over the past two seasons, with at least one or two of them likely to make the opening rotation. Taj Bradley and Mick Abel, who were acquired in the flurry of trades during the week leading up to the deadline last summer, also are firmly in the mix.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
