Twins move Ryan to 60-day IL, DFA deadline acquisition Richards

The Minnesota Twins' rotation was dealt a major blow Tuesday, as right-hander Joe Ryan was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

The move essentially ends Ryan's 2024 season. He'll be eligible to be reinstated from the IL on Oct. 8, which will be in the middle of the division series.

Ryan was placed on the 15-day IL with a Grade 2 teres major strain on Aug. 9. At the time, manager Rocco Baldelli left the door open for Ryan to return later in the year but acknowledged that the injury was "going to need time to heal up."

The 28-year-old went 7-7 with a 3.60 ERA, 3.44 FIP, and 0.99 WHIP while collecting 147 strikeouts and issuing only 23 walks across 23 outings this season. His 1.5 BB/9 rate is the best of his four-year career.

Minnesota also announced Tuesday that reliever Trevor Richards, the team's lone acquisition at this year's trade deadline, was designated for assignment.

Richards, acquired from Toronto for minor-league infielder Jay Harry on July 30, struggled during his brief stint with the Twins. The 31-year-old put up a 4.15 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and 11 walks over 10 appearances in August. He also threw seven wild pitches - one more than he had in 52 1/3 innings with the Blue Jays this year - over his month in Minnesota.

The Twins also selected right-hander Caleb Boushley from Triple-A and claimed reliever Michael Tonkin off waivers from the New York Yankees.

Minnesota enters play Tuesday holding a five-game lead over Boston for the final AL wild-card spot, while sitting 2 1/2 games back of first-place Cleveland in the AL Central.