Rested Joe Ryan returns as Twins chase series win vs. Royals

Jun 24, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (41) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images The Minnesota Twins will need right-hander Joe Ryan at full strength down the stretch in hopes of contending for an American League postseason spot. After a brief pause in his routine, Ryan (6-6, 3.38 ERA) will look to get back on track in the second contest of a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday in Minneapolis. The All-Star will make his first start since July 20 after being pushed back due to arm fatigue. Ryan was shelled in that game by the Cleveland Guardians, who tagged him for eight runs on 10 hits across four innings in a 13-4 Minnesota loss. He allowed six home runs, setting the franchise record and tying the modern-era mark for major leaguers in a single start. Following the forgettable outing and subsequent rest, Ryan said he isn't worried about a lingering setback. "I would say we did a good job of doing the things we wanted to attack beforehand and kind of played a little catch-up there," Ryan said. "I think the staff has done a good job of helping me get back to a good neutral place." For a pitching staff that's struggled throughout the season -- Minnesota's team ERA of 4.65 is 25th in the majors -- manager Derek Shelton took several voices into consideration ahead of the decision to rest Ryan. "He just had some general arm fatigue," Shelton said. "Coming out of the break, after talking to him, Pete (Maki, pitching coach) and I talking to him, and then talking to Nick (Paparesta, head athletic trainer), it was just like, ‘All right, let's just move this back and get him back on track." In 13 career appearances against the Royals, Ryan is 8-2 with a 2.49 ERA. He's 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts against them this year, having faced them on April 1 and June 6. On Tuesday, the Twins beat the Royals 3-2 on Royce Lewis' walk-off, two-run triple in the series opener, adding to Kansas City's woeful season. Dropping to 18 games under .500, the Royals are sure to be sellers at the trade deadline on Monday. The Twins, meanwhile, have won three straight games and five of their past six to move to .500, and the third-place teams trails the first-place Chicago White Soxo by only two games in the American League Central. Ryan and the Twins will face their former teammate in Randy Dobnak (0-0, 1.42 ERA), who's slated to make his fifth appearance (third start) for Kansas City. Dobnak, 31, pitched in 39 games for Minnesota from 2019-25 before being traded to the Detroit Tigers last July. He then was signed by the Seattle Mariners before being traded to Kansas City for cash on June 17. Dobnak has been effective in four outings with his new club, including his latest start, when he allowed four hits over five scoreless innings while striking out three and walking one in a no-decision against Detroit on Thursday. The Royals lost 4-3. "He did a great job," Kansas City bench coach Paul Hoover said about that effort. "If you would've told us he'd give us five scoreless innings and turn it over to the bullpen, we would've taken that all day." Dobnak is slated to face his former team for the first time. --Field Level Media