The Minnesota Twins and fantasy baseball managers alike are holding their breath after Joe Ryan exited Sunday's start against the Blue Jays with right elbow soreness—just two batters into the game. Drafted as the SP18 entering the 2026 season, Ryan had been underperforming that lofty status, but he remained a weekly must-start for fantasy owners. Now, that calculus has changed dramatically.
The team is awaiting MRI results, but early indications suggest Ryan will land on the 15-day injured list at minimum. The worst-case scenario could sideline him for over a month, leaving a significant hole in fantasy rotations. For context, if the MRI comes back clean, Ryan is expected to miss roughly three starts. If it reveals more serious damage, the timeline could stretch to 3-8 weeks, potentially keeping him out until the season is 40% complete.
This is the moment fantasy managers must pivot to the waiver wire. While Ryan's ceiling remains top-20 starter material—making him a strong IL stash if your roster can absorb the hit—there are immediate replacement options worth targeting.
Nick Martinez (53% available) has been a revelation, posting a 1.70 ERA across six starts. He won't rack up strikeouts, but his soft-contact approach has been dominant. For managers seeking stability, Martinez is a safe add.
Tomoyuki Sugano (87% available) is a high-risk, high-reward play. The Rockies' starter owns a 2.84 ERA with a 3-1 record over six outings, and he's scheduled for two starts this week—beginning Monday against a Mets lineup that has struggled offensively. The volume alone makes him intriguing.
JR Ritchie (65% available) offers a blend of upside and opportunity. Atlanta's No. 2 prospect has a 2.92 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 12.1 innings in two big-league starts this season. He pitches twice this week, starting Monday in Seattle, making him a priority add for managers seeking strikeout potential.
For those with deep benches, stashing Ryan is the prudent move. But if your rotation is already thin, dropping him for an immediate contributor won't derail your season. Either way, the next few days will define how fantasy owners navigate this early-season curveball.