Twins right-handed pitcher Joe Ryan left his Sunday afternoon start against the Blue Jays after facing just two batters with an apparent elbow injury.

After striking out Toronto’s leadoff hitter, Yohendrick Pinango, Ryan walked Kazuma Okamoto on his ninth pitch of the game and immediately signaled to the dugout.

Ryan left the game after a brief conversation on the mound with his catcher Victor Caratini, manager Derek Shelton and the training staff.

“When we walked out, he said he felt something in his elbow and I think there’s some elbow soreness in there,” Shelton said during a mid-game interview during the Peacock broadcast. “We’re getting him evaluated.

“It’s unfortunate, especially this early in the game, but it’s something we have to deal with and hopefully he’s in a good spot.”

Ryan, 29, entered 2026 as Minnesota’s ace in the wake of Pablo Lopez undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in February.

Ryan dealt with his own injury concern during spring, undergoing an MRI for a back injury that threatened his participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

In seven starts entering Sunday, Ryan sported a 2-3 record with a 3.76 ERA to go with 39 strikeouts in 38.1 innings pitched.

The ERA was inflated by a pair of bad outings, including his April 23 start against the Mets at Citi Field when he allowed seven runs (four earned) in a 10-8 loss.