Minnesota Twins Ready to Send Key Starting Pitcher Out on Rehab Assignment

The Minnesota Twins are getting closer to bringing back starting pitcher Joe Ryan to the rotation. 

The following update comes from the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal:

Ryan (groin) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.

ANALYSIS
Ryan tossed a bullpen session Tuesday and came out of it with no concerns, clearing the way for his return to game action. It's not clear how long a rehab stint he will need before being activated, but since he's been out for only about two weeks it's not likely to be a long one. He could rejoin the Twins' rotation next week in Milwaukee or back at home versus the Rangers.

This will be a big boost to the Twins rotation as they try to hold off the Cleveland Guardians in the division. Entering play on Friday, the Twins are 4.5 games ahead of the Guardians. 

The 27-year-old Ryan is 9-8 this season with a 4.43 ERA. He's struck out 152 batters in 126.0 innings. He was having an excellent year but he's allowed 23 runs in his last five starts, and has only gone six innings one time in that span.

The Twins are 63-59 and will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates for a series beginning on Friday. First pitch from Target Field is set for 8:10 p.m. ET as Andre Jackson (PIT) pitches against Pablo Lopez (MIN).

Jackson is 0-0 with a 5.47 ERA while Lopez is 8-6 with a 3.66 ERA.