Twins' Joe Ryan Exits Start vs. Blue Jays with Elbow Soreness

Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan departed his start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday after facing just two batters, with the team announcing right elbow soreness as the reason for his exit.

Ryan opened the game by striking out Yohendrick Piñango on three pitches. He then walked Kazuma Okamoto on four pitches, his final delivery clocked at 90 mph, below his season average. Ryan immediately signaled to catcher Victor Caratini and the dugout. After a brief discussion with manager Derek Shelton and an athletic trainer, he left the mound. Rookie right-hander Andrew Morris replaced him, marking Morris's sixth appearance of the season.

The Twins provided the injury update in the following inning. Ryan, who entered the game with a 2-3 record and 3.76 ERA, had made all seven of his scheduled starts this year prior to Sunday. This marks the second health concern for the 28-year-old pitcher this season; he dealt with lower back inflammation during spring training but recovered in time for Opening Day, where he threw 5.1 scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles.

Ryan has established himself as a cornerstone of the Twins rotation. He earned his first All-Star selection in...