In encouraging sign, Ryan (lower back inflammation) plays catch
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FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Twins ace Joe Ryan played catch on Tuesday morning, an encouraging step forward as he looks to return to the mound quickly after dealing with lower back inflammation.
Ryan was scratched from a scheduled start on Saturday shortly before first pitch due to what the club called lower back tightness. Neither he nor club officials expressed significant concern, and Tuesday’s news backed that up.
“He played catch today at 90 feet, so I think that was really encouraging,” said manager Derek Shelton. “And he was also in the training room doing movement stuff. Encouraging. Trending in the right direction.”
It’s not clear when Ryan might resume throwing off a mound, but the hope all along has been that he would not be sidelined for long. His status for Opening Day is not believed to be in any jeopardy, though his availability for the World Baseball Classic remains undetermined. Ryan is scheduled to pitch for Team USA.