Minnesota Twins All-Star pitcher Joe Ryan was pulled from Saturday afternoon’s matchup against the Boston Red Sox moments before game time after experiencing lower back tightness.
The last-minute roster change adds to the team’s pitching concerns, coming just 24 hours after officials announced that pitcher Pablo Lopez will need Tommy John surgery next week, sidelining him for all of the 2026 season.
Right-handed pitcher Eston Stull stepped in to take Ryan’s place as the Twins kicked off their Grapefruit League season against Boston.
The 29-year-old Ryan had a solid 2025 campaign, finishing with 13 wins and 10 losses while achieving a personal-best 3.42 ERA across 31 games, including 30 starts. Last summer marked a career milestone for the reliable pitcher when he earned his first All-Star Game selection.
