CHICAGO -- The Twins on Monday activated Joe Ryan from the 15-day IL, who took the ball for his first Major League start in more than a month.
Ryan, who'd been out since early August due to a strained left glute muscle, allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and one walk over four innings, striking out seven. He made a Minor League rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday and then threw a bullpen Saturday, setting him up to pitch in Detroit.
Dean Kremer and Zebby Matthews will pitch the next two games in Detroit, with rookie Connor Prielipp not currently having a scheduled start. As Prielipp’s first full healthy season in professional baseball winds to a close, the Twins are looking at a variety of ways to use him while still managing his innings and exposure.
Ryan, 30, was 6-8 with a 3.65 ERA heading into Monday's start, He enjoyed a tremendous first half, earning his second consecutive All-Star berth, but struggled coming out of the break.
He made three subpar starts to open the second half, never feeling that he really had his delivery right, before being placed on the IL following an Aug. 4 start in Kansas City.
The Twins optioned right-hander Garrett Acton to Triple-A to make room for Ryan on the active roster.