Twins send clear message on Joe Ryan with trade deadline decision

Twins send clear message on Joe Ryan with trade deadline decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>If there was any room for speculation regarding the Minnesota Twins' status heading into the trade deadline, it received a confirmation with a major decision on Joe Ryan.

>After weeks of speculation, former MLB general manager and insider Jim Bowden reported that the Twins won't be trading Ryan and are approaching the trade deadline as buyers, with bullpen help remaining their top priority.

Joe Ryan won't be traded at deadline, per @JimBowdenGM.

Twins are buyers looking for bullpen help. pic.twitter.com/1n0wXFNfgG

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) July 27, 2026Ryan signed a one-year, $6.2 million deal with the Twins to avoid salary arbitration. His deal holds a $13 million mutual option for next year with a $100K buyout. The right-hander is enjoying a good season, and therefore his name surfaced in trade rumors. But with the franchise only one game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final AL Wild Card spot, the Twins are intending to make a good step for their potential October future.

>MORE: Cubs urged to make 'no-brainer' Joe Ryan decision to boost World Series odds

Why Twins didn't start Joe Ryan vs A'sThe Twins were supposed to have Joe Ryan against the Athletics on Sunday. However, it appears the franchise has pushed back his start to the series against the Kansas City Royals, starting on Tuesday.

>In his last start against the Guardians on Monday, Ryan allowed a career-high six home runs in the dreadful 13-4 loss.

>Twins manager Derek Shelton shared why the right-hander was held back:

>"He just had some general arm fatigue. And coming out of the break, after talking to him, Pete [Maki, pitching coach] and I talking to him, and then talking to Nick [Paparesta, head athletic trainer], it was just like, 'All right, let’s just move this back and get him back on track.'"

>Ryan had a bullpen session on Saturday and based on how he recovers on Sunday, the Twins will finalize his start date in the series against the Royals.

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