FORT MYERS, Fla. – Joe Ryan will start on Monday against the Pirates, the Twins announced Sunday, setting him up to be available to pitch Opening Day. Ryan, who missed the first 17 days of Grapefruit League play due to back inflammation, will be making his second start of camp.
That puts him on track to pitch the team’s opener against the Orioles in Baltimore on March 26. And while he has not been officially announced for that game yet, it’s not a coincidence that he’ll pitch exactly 10 days before Opening Day.
Ryan made his Spring Training debut on Tuesday, then threw a bullpen session on Saturday. He had hoped to pitch in the World Baseball Classic but learned Saturday that he will not be added to the roster. With that option out of the picture, the Twins pivoted.
Taj Bradley, initially scheduled to start the Monday game, will throw live batting practice that day instead.
Larnach scratched
Trevor Larnach was scratched from the Twins’ lineup about an hour before first pitch on Sunday due to left side soreness. The club described the decision as precautionary, and Larnach is considered day to day. Tristan Gray took his place in the lineup, with several other players changing positions to accommodate the move.
Larnach will be re-evaluated Monday. Given that the Twins have a long road trip Tuesday and an off-day on Wednesday, he is not expected to play before Thursday night’s game against the Red Sox.
Jenkins nearing a return
Walker Jenkins, the Twins’ No. 1 prospect and MLB’s No. 14 prospect, is “tracking well” to be available to play Opening Day for Triple-A St. Paul, Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said Sunday. Jenkins suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain on Feb. 28. He is expected to begin getting into Minor League games by the end of the upcoming week. His official status for the Twins’ Spring Breakout game on Thursday is undetermined, but it would likely be difficult for him to be cleared to play.
Additionally, Charlee Soto, the Twins' No. 9 prospect, is behind as he recovers from bone spur surgery last summer. He will begin the season on the injured list and is expected to start throwing live batting practice in early April.