Twins' Joe Ryan Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic on Wednesday

Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan will take the mound on one of baseball’s biggest stages after committing to pitch for Team USA in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic. The selection is another sign of Ryan’s growing presence within the game and underscores the confidence USA Baseball has in his ability to compete against elite international competition.

Go put on a show, Joe!

Joe Ryan will be competing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic! pic.twitter.com/So2bk2ZpXn— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) December 17, 2025

The World Baseball Classic is an international tournament held every four years featuring national teams from across the globe. The event brings together many of the sport’s top professional players for a high-intensity competition that blends postseason-level pressure with national pride. The 2026 tournament will take place in March, with games played across multiple sites before a championship round determines the world title.

Ryan’s path to Team USA has been shaped largely by his steady rise with the Twins. Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays at the 2021 trade deadline in the deal that sent Nelson Cruz to Tampa Bay, Ryan quickly became a key part of Minnesota’s future. The 29-year-old debuted later that season and established himself as a regular in the rotation by 2022, pairing strike-throwing ability with a deceptive fastball that has consistently generated swings and misses.

Over his five-year career with the Twins, Ryan has developed into one of the club’s most reliable starters. His durability and consistency have been especially valuable for a rotation that has dealt with injuries in recent seasons. Entering 2026, he is viewed as a foundational piece of the pitching staff rather than a short-term asset.

That status became clear this offseason when trade speculation briefly surfaced around the league. Several teams reportedly explored Ryan’s availability, but Minnesota shut down those conversations quickly. The front office made it clear that Ryan’s combination of performance, age and team control made him far more valuable to keep than to move.

On the field, Ryan’s 2025 season reinforced that stance. He finished the year with a 3.42 ERA, striking out 194 batters across 171 innings while providing consistent length in his starts. His command and ability to limit hard contact will help keep the Twins competitive in the AL Central heading into 2026. Ryan also earned his first career All-Star selection in 2025.

Now, Ryan will carry that momentum into the World Baseball Classic, representing both the Twins and the United States on a global stage. His inclusion adds depth and reliability to Team USA’s pitching staff and marks another step forward in a career that continues to trend upward.