Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan voiced deep disappointment after U.S. managers opted against including him on the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) roster, despite widespread expectations for his selection as a key starter.
Strong Spring Training Ignites Hopes
Ryan delivered impressive outings during spring training. On March 17 (Korea Standard Time), he faced the Pittsburgh Pirates, tossing four innings with five hits, one earned run, one walk, and six strikeouts on 68 pitches. He followed up on March 22 by striking out the side in a relief appearance.
These performances positioned Ryan as a prime candidate for the U.S. team’s top rotation spot. U.S. manager Mark DeRosa highlighted his potential on March 13 during an MLB intrasquad event, comparing him to Clayton Kershaw’s dominant eight-inning outing against Canada and stating, “Ryan is that guy.”
Unexpected Snub to Fellow Reliever
Instead, the U.S. team selected Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman for the Twins’ representation. Officials cited concerns over Ryan’s relief role adjustment, prioritizing his starter workload preservation. Twins management sought to align his pitch counts with rotation norms, influencing the decision.
The move dashed Ryan’s WBC aspirations, echoing his past experiences. In the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, as a U.S. team member, he relieved in the second round against Korea, allowing four hits, one walk, three strikeouts, and one earned run over 4 1/3 innings in a 7-2 victory.
Ryan’s Heartfelt Reaction
Post-game on March 17, Ryan shared his raw emotions: “I was shocked. Receiving those heavy expectations was the best thing. I prepared fully, even focusing on my footing. But suddenly, it couldn’t happen.”
He acknowledged the Twins’ perspective: “The Twins group hugged me tightly. Rather than jumping in first, they wanted me exactly for the WBC. But the position wasn’t settled.” Adding, “I’m not upset at all. The U.S. team had normal plans too.”
Ryan reflected further: “That game sealed it exactly. DeRosa brought me to the WBC last July as expected. Off-season selection eased young worries; hesitation to return faded with max effort, and it feels rewarding.”
Proven Track Record
Since debuting with the Twins in 2021, Ryan has logged five seasons across 115 games (114 starts, 641 1/3 innings), posting a 46-36 record, 3.79 ERA, and 719 strikeouts. His fastball averages 93.7 mph (150.8 km/h), below major league norms, but his slider generates swing-and-miss appeal from elevated velocity feel.
This spring, over 31 games (30 starts, 171 innings), he achieved 13 wins, 10 losses, 3.42 ERA, and 194 strikeouts, earning his first All-Star nod and establishing a career high.
