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Twins Put Joe Ryan on IL, Recall Zebby Matthews

8/8/2026

27 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Joe Ryan Injured

The Minnesota Twins placed starter Joe Ryan on the 15-day injured list Friday after an MRI showed a mild left glute strain.
Manager Derek Shelton said the injury is not serious but Ryan’s return timeline is uncertain, prompting the Twins to recall Zebby Matthews from Triple-A.
Fangraphs now estimates the Twins’ postseason odds at 26.6% as they sit half a game behind the final AL wild-card spot, tied with Cleveland.

Summary

Twins Add Arms

Twins added right-hander Dean Kremer and relievers Jeff Hoffman and A.J. Minter on July 31.
Twins obtained Ryan Gallagher and Sam Armstrong from the Cubs for Willi Castro.
Gallagher, the No. 15 prospect, struck out 24 and allowed one run in six Triple-A innings.
With Pablo Lopez out, Twins may promote Triple-A pitcher Kendry Rojas as a starter while the new arms take on larger workloads.

History

Historical Context

On July 31 2004, the Boston Red Sox acquired right-hander Curt Schilling, helping erase a mid-season slump, finish 21-6 and win the ALCS and World Series, ending the 86-year “Curse of the Bambino.” The Minnesota Twins’ July 31 2024 deadline moves—adding Dean Kremer, Jeff Hoffman, A.J. Minter and trading for Ryan Gallagher—echo Theo Epstein’s late-season strategy, aiming to lift postseason odds above 25 percent.

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Joe Ryan Injured

The Minnesota Twins placed starter Joe Ryan on the 15-day injured list Friday after an MRI showed a mild left glute strain.
Manager Derek Shelton said the injury is not serious but Ryan’s return timeline is uncertain, prompting the Twins to recall Zebby Matthews from Triple-A.
Fangraphs now estimates the Twins’ postseason odds at 26.6% as they sit half a game behind the final AL wild-card spot, tied with Cleveland.

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