MINNEAPOLIS — Twins pitcher Joe Ryan was placed on the COVID injured list before Wednesday's game against the Tigers at Target Field.
Ryan, 25, was scheduled to start the opening game of a four-game series against the Royals on Thursday. He leads the Twins in victories with a 5-2 record and 2.28 ERA in eight starts.
Ryan, acquired last season from Tampa Bay in the Nelson Cruz deal, was the team's opening day starter.
Devin Smeltzer was recalled from St. Paul and will start on Thursday. He has made two starts for the Twins (1-0, 1.74) and nine for the Saints (1-2, 3.86).
Ryan picked up the victory Saturday when the Twins won, 9-2, in Kansas City. He allowed runners to reach base in four of his six innings but surrendered a run-scoring hit only once. He walked two hitters — the Twins had never before won a game in which he gave up more than one walk.
