Joe Ryan (glute) throws bullpen session Saturday

Ryan, who threw 42 pitches during a minor league rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul earlier this week, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. MLB.com’s Matthew Leach notes that Minnesota’s pitchers typically throw a bullpen session two days before their next start and Monday is an off-day in the minors. He’s been out with a glute strain since early August and would likely be on a strict pitch count in his return. There should be a definitive update on Ryan’s next steps at some point this weekend, but it certainly sounds like he could get the ball on Monday at Comerica Park. The club hasn’t announced their rotation plans for the series. Connor Prielipp would be in line to start if Ryan doesn’t come off the shelf.

Ryan’s velocity was down a couple ticks as he averaged just 91 mph on his four-seam fastball during the 42-pitch outing. He gave up a solo homer, which represented the lone baserunner against him across three frames. The 30-year-old Twins ace is working his way back from a glute strain and could potentially make his next start in the big leagues with the club fighting for a playoff spot. It wouldn’t be surprising if he made one additional rehab start to continue building up his pitch count and stamina before returning to Minnesota’s rotation.

Twins manager Derek Shelton said the plan is for Ryan to throw roughly 50 pitches over three innings. The 30-year-old upper-echelon fantasy starter figures to rejoin Minnesota’s rotation next week, assuming he’s feeling ready from a physical standpoint. He hit the injured list with a glute strain back in early August. There should be a definitive update on his return timeline coming out of Tuesday’s tune-up outing.

Ryan remains without a definitive return timeline, but Shelton added that he’ll require a rehab assignment before returning to Minnesota’s rotation. The 30-year-old ace has been out with a glute strain that put him on the injured list earlier this month. It sounds like there’s optimism he’ll make it back at some point in September.

It was Ryan’s first bullpen session since landing on the injured list with a left glute strain back in early August. The 30-year-old upper-echelon fantasy starter has generally faded down the home stretch the last few years, so the hope is that the multi-week break helps get him back on track. He’ll need to progress to facing hitters in live batting practice before the Twins establish a definitive return timeline, which means fantasy managers shouldn’t expect Ryan back until some time in September.

Ryan was placed on the injured list with a glute strain on Friday, so it’s good news that he’s already throwing. Of course, throwing off flat ground means he’s not pushing off in the same way he would on a mound, which would test his glute a bit more. We may be looking at a minimum stay on the IL for Ryan, but he’ll need to progress to a mound at some point this week.

As anticipated, Ryan lands on the injured list with the glute strain that he suffered his last time out. The Twins are hopeful that he’ll only need to miss a couple of weeks before rejoining the rotation. Zebby Matthews was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move on Friday to take his place for the time being.

The Twins suddenly have a vacancy in their starting rotation with Joe Ryan (glute) expected to land on the injured list, so Matthews will have another opportunity to show what he can do at the game’s highest level. The 26-year-old hurler holds a 5.22 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 69/26 K/BB ratio over 81 innings in 14 starts with the Twins this season.

Ryan suffered the injury during Tuesday’s start against the Royals. No word yet on how long he’s expected to be sidelined for, but it’s a massive blow to the Twins’ rotation as they’re trying to fight for a playoff berth in a weakened American League.

Shelton added that Ryan is headed back to Minnesota due to back and glute issues, which puts his availability for Sunday’s start against the Brewers in obvious jeopardy. The ongoing physical issues, which are impacting his ability to repeat his delivery, certainly explain his recent struggles as he’s allowed a staggering 17 runs — 16 earned — over 15 1/3 innings across three starts since the All-Star break. There should be some much-needed clarity on his status and outlook later this week.