The Minnesota Twins received some concerning news after starting pitcher Joe Ryan was forced to exit Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays just nine pitches into his start. The initial diagnosis? Right elbow soreness—a phrase no pitcher or fan ever wants to hear.

Ryan had been looking to build momentum after a solid outing against the Seattle Mariners last week, where he tossed six innings of two-run baseball. That performance came on the heels of a tougher start against the New York Mets on April 23, when he allowed seven hits and four earned runs over five innings. But Sunday's start took a sudden turn after just three batters: one strikeout, one walk, and then one pitch that changed everything.

On his ninth pitch of the game, Ryan felt something uncomfortable in his elbow and immediately signaled for the Twins' training staff. He was quickly removed from the game, leaving the dugout and fans holding their breath.

"He walked out and said he felt something in his elbow," Twins manager Derek Shelton told reporters, including The Athletic. "It's unfortunate, especially this early in the game, but it's something we've got to deal with. Hopefully Joe's in a good spot."

For any pitcher, an elbow issue brings immediate concern about the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), which often requires Tommy John surgery to repair. While it's far too early to know if Ryan faces that scenario, the worry is understandable—especially for a Twins team already dealing with rotation depth issues. Pablo López is already sidelined for the season, leaving Minnesota's starting staff thin as they try to climb back from a 14-20 record after a promising start to the year.

Adding to the concern: Ryan's fastball velocity has been down recently, though he previously told The Athletic's Dan Hayes that he attributed the dip to mechanical issues, not arm trouble. Now, with elbow soreness confirmed, those comments take on a new light.

For the Twins, this injury couldn't come at a worse time. With trade rumors already swirling around the organization, losing their ace for an extended period would be a massive blow—both to their playoff hopes and to any potential deals on the horizon. For now, all eyes are on Ryan's next MRI and the hope that "soreness" is all this turns out to be.