Oct 28, 2026, 11:52 AM ET

Minnesota Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez (elbow) did not pitch at all for the Twins in 2026 after having Tommy John surgery in February, but the veteran hurler is two months into a three-month buildup to return to the mound and is scheduled to throw off a mound in the third week of November, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Lopez and the Twins think he will be ready for the start of the 2027 season, barring a setback. "We'll have a sense of exactly where he's at come spring training, but (we're) expecting him to be a full go for the season," general manager Jeremy Zoll said in late September. It is the second time in his career that Lopez has had Tommy John surgery, and he said the first experience better prepared him mentally for his current program. Not only will the 30-year-old Venezuelan be returning from right-elbow surgery in 2027, but it will be the final year of his four-year, $73.5 million deal. In 14 starts in 2025 in his third year in Minnesota, Lopez was lights-out, going 5-4 with a career-best 2.74 ERA (3.19 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 20 walks in 75 2/3 innings pitched. Lopez was a first-time All-Star in 2023 in his first year with the Twins, when he had a career-high 234 punchouts.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes

Oct 24, 2026, 10:10 PM ET

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez (elbow) is targeting a Spring Training return to the mound, per Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Lopez missed the entire 2026 season after undergoing an internal brace procedure on his right elbow in February. The 30-year-old was a productive pitcher in 2025, recording a 5-4 record with a 2.74 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts across 75 2/3 innings (14 starts). However, Lopez also has a lengthy track record of health problems. He's undergone two major surgeries on his elbow and has also missed time in his career with shoulder issues. Still, if Lopez can put together a fully healthy season in 2027, he could be an impact pitcher for fantasy managers.--Will Brady
Source: Minnesota Star Tribune - Bobby Nightengale

Sep 7, 2026, 10:37 PM ET

Across 117 innings (20 starts) in 2026, Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews has recorded a 9-9 record with a 4.69 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts. While Matthews' season-long numbers may not stand out as particularly impressive, he's been much better in recent appearances. Across his last 47 innings (eight starts), the 26-year-old has posted a 5-2 record with a 3.64 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts. Matthews' lack of strikeout ability limits his fantasy upside, but he profiles as a potential WHIP asset due to his stellar command (6.8% walk rate). As a matchup-dependent streaming option, Matthews profiles as a quality option for fantasy managers. His next scheduled start will come on Wednesday in Detroit against the Tigers.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 7, 2026, 1:46 PM ET

The Minnesota Twins announced on Monday that they reinstated right-hander Joe Ryan (glute) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Garrett Acton to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. Ryan is making his return to Minnesota's starting rotation for Monday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Detroit Tigers. The 30-year-old will be a pretty risky fantasy starter in his first game back in the big leagues after he threw only 42 pitches in his only minor-league rehab start. Ryan has been solid for fantasy managers in 2026, though, going 6-8 with a 3.65 ERA (3.42 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and 27 walks in 125 2/3 innings pitched across his 23 starts in his sixth big-league season with the team. In his lone start this year against the Tigers, Ryan picked up his first win of the year on April 6, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits while walking three and striking out seven in five innings of work. Now that Ryan is back and recovered from his glute injury, he could be a key asset for fantasy managers seeking a championship.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Minnesota Twins

Sep 5, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (glute) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday as he tries to return to the team's starting rotation after missing the last month with a strained left glute, according to MLB.com's Matthew Leach. Manager Derek Shelton declined to speculate on what the next step for Ryan will be, but typically, a pitcher who threw a bullpen on Saturday would start on Monday. The Twins begin a three-game series in Detroit against the division-rival Tigers on Monday, so Ryan could come off the 15-day injured list to start the series opener. All of the Twins' minor-league affiliates are off on Monday. "We want to be able to have a conversation with him," Shelton said. "Want him to go through his bullpen and see where he's at to make sure that we're checking all the boxes before he gets back in a Major League game." If Ryan returns on Monday, the Twins could push Connor Prielipp's next turn in the rotation back one or two days. Ryan threw 42 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul earlier this week, so he will likely be on a strict pitch-count limit if he returns on Monday, making him a shaky fantasy option against Detroit. The 30-year-old is still rostered in 95% of Yahoo leagues, though, and can make an impact down the stretch after going 6-8 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts in his 23 starts in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Matthew Leach

Sep 1, 2026, 10:29 PM ET

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (glute) allowed one earned run and recorded four strikeouts across three innings in a rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday. The 30-year-old has been sidelined by a glute strain since early August, but it appears he is nearing a return to the big leagues. Across 125 2/3 innings (23 starts) before the injury, Ryan recorded a 6-8 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts. Ryan rarely allows free passes (5.2% walk rate) while also being a consistent source of strikeouts (26.4% strikeout rate) for fantasy managers. It's unclear whether Ryan will require a second rehab outing before returning to the Twins, but either way, he will need at least one more start before being built up to a full starter's workload. Once he's fully healthy, Ryan profiles as a must-start fantasy pitcher.--Will Brady
Source: milb.com

Aug 31, 2026, 10:17 PM ET

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (glute) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, per Twins beat writer Aaron Gleeman. Ryan has been sidelined since early August due to a glute strain, but it appears he could be nearing a return to the big leagues. Per Gleeman, Twins manager Derek Shelton said that the plan for Ryan is to throw around 45-50 pitches on Tuesday. Before the injury, Ryan recorded a 6-8 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts across 125 2/3 innings (23 starts). The 30-year-old has consistently allowed high home run rates throughout his career and has surrendered 1.22 HR/9 so far this season. However, Ryan has struck out 26.4% of the batters he's faced while posting just a 5.2% walk rate, good for an elite 21.2% K-BB rate. Once healthy, he profiles as a must-start fantasy pitcher.--Will Brady
Source: Aaron Gleeman

Aug 24, 2026, 10:38 PM ET

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (glute) will throw a live, one-inning bullpen session on Wednesday, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Ryan has been on the injured list since early August due to a glute strain. While the 30-year-old appears to be making progress towards a return to the big leagues, Hayes reports that Twins manager Derek Shelton said Ryan will need to appear in minor league rehab games before he can be activated. Across 125 2/3 innings (23 starts) in 2026, Ryan has recorded a 6-8 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts. The right-hander's slightly inflated ERA is due to his tendency to allow home runs, but his 21.2% K-BB rate remains elite. Once healthy, Ryan remains a must-start fantasy starting pitcher.--Will Brady
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes

Aug 19, 2026, 12:59 PM ET

Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (glute) threw an encouraging bullpen session on Tuesday, his first since landing on the 15-day injured list with a mild left-glute strain, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The All-Star hurler threw all fastballs and sinkers in a 25-pitch session that pleased his coaches. "It's a step in the right direction for sure," Ryan said. "Very encouraging," Twins manager Derek Shelton said. "He looked free and easy. He's a very important part of our team. To see him out there and be healthy -- (it's the) first step in the progression to getting him back." Ryan has been solid all year for the Twins, but he allowed seven home runs and 16 earned runs in 15 1/3 innings in three starts after the All-Star break before landing on the IL. Pitching coach Pete Maki said that Ryan has implemented some delivery fixes while throwing on flat ground, and Maki has been encouraged. Ryan is happy to have resumed throwing off a mound, but he's still a bit cautious, and he has some more boxes to check before the Twins will clear him to rejoin the big-league starting rotation.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes

Aug 11, 2026, 1:19 PM ET

Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (glute) played catch on flat ground on Monday, according to AaronGleeman.com. Ryan is already throwing after being placed on the 15-day injured list with a left-glute strain last Friday. The 30-year-old veteran could have a chance to return to the Twins' starting rotation when he's eligible to come off the IL on Aug. 21, but that remains to be seen. Ryan struggled to repeat his delivery since the All-Star break, which led to the Twins shutting him down for at least two weeks. His poor results so far in the second half can be attributed to his glute injury. Overall, Ryan, a two-time All-Star, is 6-8 with a 3.65 ERA (3.42 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and 27 walks in 125 2/3 innings and 23 starts. He's seen a slight drop in his strikeout rate (26.4%), but his command remains stellar with a 5.2% walk rate in his sixth year in the majors. Ryan needs to remain stashed in all fantasy formats with his return potentially right around the corner.--Keith Hernandez
Source: AaronGleeman.com

Aug 7, 2026, 10:51 PM ET

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews (foot) was forced to make an early exit from Friday's outing against the Milwaukee Brewers. Matthews came out to warm up for the sixth inning, but was taken out shortly after that. It has been announced that Matthews was pulled from this game due to a blister on his right foot. Before leaving, Matthews allowed three earned runs on seven hits while striking out four batters across five innings of work. For now, Matthews is lined up to start against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should monitor his status over the next few days. He could be a deep league streaming option if he's available to pitch versus the O's.--Andy Webb
Source: Dan Hayes

Aug 7, 2026, 5:34 PM ET

The Minnesota Twins announced on Friday that they placed right-hander Joe Ryan (glute) on the 15-day injured list with a left-glute strain and recalled right-hander Zebby Matthews, who will start on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers, from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. The Twins initially were saying that Ryan was dealing with right-arm fatigue, but an MRI exam on Thursday showed his glute strain, which was making it difficult for him to repeat his delivery on the mound. It helps explain why he has struggled mightily in his three starts since the All-Star break, allowing 17 runs (16 earned) on 25 hits (seven home runs) while walking two and striking out 10 in 15 1/3 innings of work. Overall, the 30-year-old veteran is 6-8 in 2026 with a 3.65 ERA (3.42 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and 27 walks in 125 2/3 frames across 23 starts. It's unknown if Ryan might be ready to return from the IL when he's eligible in two weeks, but fantasy managers in all league formats need to keep him stashed for the stretch run.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Minnesota Twins

Aug 6, 2026, 5:27 PM ET

An MRI exam showed that Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (glute) is dealing with a mild left-glute strain, and he's considered likely to land on the injured list, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Ryan has had trouble replicating his delivery while pitching at less than 100% health, and it has shown in the results, as he has allowed 17 runs (16 earned) on 25 hits (seven home runs) while walking two and striking out 10 in 15 1/3 innings pitched in his three starts since the All-Star break. The Twins initially said Ryan was dealing with arm fatigue, but now we know that he has a glute strain. The 30-year-old should remain rostered in all fantasy leagues if/when he goes on the IL. Hopefully, it will be a short stay before Ryan can bounce back as a fantasy ace down the stretch. He's currently 6-8 with a 3.65 ERA (3.42 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and only 27 walks in 125 2/3 frames across 23 starts in 2026 in his sixth year with the Twins. The two-time All-Star's strikeout rate has dropped to 26.4% this year, but he's only walking 5.2% of the batters he faces as well.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes

Aug 5, 2026, 7:00 PM ET

The Athletic's Dan Hayes reports that Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan's (back, glute) next start is "in doubt" due to back and glute injuries. Manager Derek Shelton said that Ryan has already left the team to be evaluated by team physician Christopher Camp in Minneapolis. "He's frustrated and not able to replicate his delivery. The ability to repeat his delivery, I'm not going to say it's not physical. But we owe it to him and to us to find out what he's feeling and how he's going about it," Shelton said. Ryan allowed four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in Tuesday's loss to the division-rival Kansas City Royals, and when asked if he's physically capable of doing what he wants with his delivery, Ryan said, "No, definitely not." It helps explain why he has a 9.39 ERA with 25 hits allowed in 15 1/3 frames in his last three outings. He also gave up a major-league record six home runs on July 20 against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians. Ryan was dominant for fantasy managers in the first half, posting a 2.85 ERA with 128 strikeouts in 110 1/3 innings, but he has fallen apart in the second half and just isn't healthy right now. It sounds like an injured-list stint is coming.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes