Twins Placing Stud Rookie Pitcher On COVID Injured List

The Minnesota Twins will be without the services of their talented rookie pitcher for a little while.

The team confirmed that they are placing Joe Ryan on the COVID-19 Injured List, which means that he will be out for at least 10 days, unless he can meet the criteria to be activated early, as designated by the league.

The Twins have called up Devin Smeltzer from Triple-A to take Ryan's spot on the active roster until Ryan returns. Because Ryan was scheduled to pitch against the Royals tomorrow, Smeltzer will get the start instead.

Ryan has had a terrific rookie season thus far. The right-hander has a 5-2 record in eight starts, a 2.28 ERA (the 13th lowest ERA in the whole league), and 42 strikeouts in the early going of the season.

The 26-year-old not only looks to be a strong contender to win the AL Rookie of the Year this season, but he also looks like a star pitcher in the making.

The Twins are currently in first place in the AL Central, with a record of 27-17, and Ryan has played a big role in the team's success so far in the season.

Minnesota appears to be in good hands with Ryan poised to be their ace of the future, which is not too shabby considering all that the Twins really had to give up to acquire the young pitcher was a 41-year-old Nelson Cruz, whose contract was set to expire after last season anyways.

#MNTwins complete trade with Tampa Bay Rays.

Club acquires right-handed minor league pitchers Joe Ryan and Drew Strotman, in exchange for designated hitter Nelson Cruz and right-handed minor league pitcher Calvin Faucher.
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 22, 2021