Ryan (back inflammation) hopeful to pitch for Team USA at knockout stage

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Joe Ryan will not pitch during pool play of the World Baseball Classic, but remains eligible and hopeful to pitch if Team USA advances to the knockout stage.

That had appeared to be the most likely scenario for Ryan, who has not appeared in a Grapefruit League game after being scratched from his first start due to lower back inflammation. But it was confirmed on Sunday morning, as Ryan, the Twins and USA Baseball agreed on a framework.

“He's not going to participate in the pool play round of the WBC,” said Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll. “We'll see where things are at from there. The decision was made in collaboration with Joe, his agent, Team USA and us. We think this is smartest and best for everyone. We just want to make sure we know where everything is at coming out of [pool play]. We'll see where they're at on a number of fronts."

Ryan threw a bullpen session on Saturday and was pleased with how it went. He will throw live batting practice next week, likely Wednesday, and after that will progress to a game with the Twins. If Ryan pitches March 10 for the Twins, which is the most likely date, he would be on turn to potentially start a semifinal game in Miami on March 15.

“I feel really good about it,” Ryan said. “I think [Team USA manager Mark DeRosa] feels really good about it. [Zoll] feels good about it. I don’t want to speak for them necessarily, I guess, but it seems like from the communication we’ve had, everyone’s in a good spot. So we’ll progress and try to reach those goals. But yeah, I’m excited.

“If I wasn’t going to root for Team USA hard enough being on the team, I’m really going for them now to be able to go there and join them in the second phase.”