Scary Scene for Twins Surrounding Ace Joe Ryan

This is not what the Minnesota Twins wanted to see on Sunday when ace starter Joe Ryan took the mound. The premier trade candidate was pulled from his start after just nine pitches. And his body language was not encouraging.

Scary scene in Minnesota as Joe Ryan was pulled after just 9 pitches 😬 pic.twitter.com/nM1BttOapp
— js9innings (@js9inningsmedia) May 3, 2026

Ryan signaled to the dugout after walking Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto on just his ninth pitch of the game.

"Uh oh. This is not a good thing early on," said play-by-play man Matt Vasgersian. "A guy who has enjoyed a remarkable clean bill of health throughout his six years in the big leagues."

"I think it's never a good sign when you see the pitcher himself call the catcher out on the second batter of the game," added analyst (and former Twin) Justin Morneau.

Ominous scene for Twins as Joe Ryan leaves start in 1st inning with elbow soreness

Sure enough, an ominous report from the Twins has a few minutes later signaled that Ryan left the game with "right elbow soreness."

Ryan was making his 8th start this season, carrying a 3.76 ERA into the game with a 1.04 WHIP and 9.2 K/9.

The 30-year-old All-Star hurler has been considered one of the top trade candidates amongst starting pitchers this season, with the Twins in somewhat of a rebuild, and sitting at the bottom of the standing in the AL Central Division.

Ryan has a career 3.79 ERA, with 10 K/9.