Seeking split, Twins turn to Joe Ryan to tame Jays' bats

Joe Ryan already has had one impressive win against the Toronto Blue Jays this season, a two-hit, seven-inning gem.

The host Twins would like to see a repeat performance from the 2025 All-Star right-hander Sunday as they attempt to split the four-game series in Minneapolis.

Toronto feasted on Minnesota's beleaguered bullpen for an eight-run eighth inning Saturday in an 11-4 victory.

Ryan (2-3, 3.76 ERA) held the Blue Jays to two runs and one walk with five strikeouts on April 11 in the middle game of a three-game set in Toronto. The 7-4 win helped the Twins take the series and improve Ryan's numbers to 3-1 with a 4.20 ERA in five career starts against Toronto.

Toronto is scheduled to start Trey Yesavage (1-0, 0.00), who has not faced Minnesota. The rookie right-hander will make his second start after opening the season on the injured list with a shoulder impingement.

In his season debut Tuesday, he held the Boston Red Sox to four hits and no walks while striking out three in 5 1/3 scoreless innings.

Another lengthy outing by Ryan would help the Twins' bullpen problems. Luis Garcia, released by the New York Mets in April, and Anthony Banda could not get the job done in the eighth Saturday, failing to retire the first eight batters.

"Nothing that went right," Twins manager Derek Shelton said. "We gave up, what, eight runs with no outs? We gave up five hits, walked two or three guys, and made an error. That's about as bad of an inning as it can go -- because we did a good job before that."

As expected, Toronto had a positive feeling about the crooked inning.

"The eighth inning was a good representation of passing the baton," Toronto manager John Schneider said. "I thought we took some really, really good swings throughout the day and especially the eighth."

The Blue Jays had concern in the third when George Springer was hit on the left foot by a slider from Twins starter Connor Prielipp. Springer went down in pain and was removed from the game. He returned this week from a stint on the injured list after fracturing his left big toe on a foul ball on April 11 with Ryan pitching. X-rays on Saturday were negative.

"He's all right," Schneider said. "I love that the X-rays are negative. There's nothing else going on with his toe. We'll just see how he is. I was going to give him the day (Sunday) anyway, with the early game for the old man. ... He was back in the dugout being himself. That's a good sign. Hopefully, he'll be all right in a day or so."

The Twins' bullpen woes worsened Saturday when right-hander Cole Sands, one of their better relievers, was put on the injured list with a forearm strain.

Right-hander John Klein was promoted from Triple-A St. Paul and pitched a perfect ninth in his major league debut.

"The thing that is probably the most frustrating is we haven't been consistent," Shelton said. "It's like one or two good outings, and then two inconsistent outings. I think the thing about it is, yes, the ability is there. and we've seen the ability to do it. We just have to figure out a way to get it done."

--Field Level Media