Joe Ryan not expected to pitch in Classic for Team USA

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Joe Ryan is not expected to pitch in the World Baseball Classic after all, a Twins official said Saturday.

Ryan threw a bullpen session on Saturday prior to the Twins’ game against the Rays, with the hope that he could pitch for Team USA if it advances to the WBC final on Tuesday. However, it seems the only available role for him was relief, with Nolan McLean expected to start the final if the U.S. can get past the Dominican Republic squad in Sunday night's semifinal matchup (8 ET, FS1). As a result the U.S. team chose to go with Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman.

Expected to pitch Opening Day for Minnesota, Ryan has only made one game appearance this spring after missing 17 days due to lower back inflammation. He will likely slot into the Twins’ rotation at some point next week prior to their March 18 off-day.

Ryan had planned all winter to pitch in the Classic, but he suffered back inflammation just minutes before his first scheduled Grapefruit League start on Feb. 21. That threw his schedule into question and led to the complications trying to get him onto the Team USA roster. Ryan very much wanted to pitch for Team USA, and the Twins supported him in doing so; it was just a matter of making the timing work for pitcher, national team, and club, and it seems that ultimately making all those pieces fit together was too much to ask.

The Twins hope that Ryan will pitch their season opener on March 26 in Baltimore. If he were to start Monday, he could get two more Grapefruit League starts under his belt before taking the mound Opening Day.