Twins’ Joe Ryan out ‘weeks to months’ with shoulder injury

The Twins received a heavy dose of bad news Friday before they began their doubleheader against the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians at Target Field.

Joe Ryan, who left Wednesday’s game in Chicago against the Cubs with what was initially called a triceps strain, will be out “weeks or months,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. Ryan’s injury wasn’t initially thought to be serious, but an MRI revealed a Grade 2 strain in the teres major muscle in his right shoulder.

“It’s a punch in the gut,” Baldelli said. “You’re used to getting information sometimes that you don’t hope for. You want the best. You cross your fingers, like everyone else, all the time.

“Joe has a real injury, an injury that will take some time to recover from. He will do his best to get back fit, but it will take some time.”

Swinger Brock Stewart will undergo shoulder surgery Tuesday and will miss the rest of the season. He had been on the injured list with right shoulder tendinitis. His recovery is expected to take six months.

Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey is optimistic that injured starter Chris Paddack will return to the team soon, and hasn’t ruled out calling up Zippy Matthews, who has climbed the organization’s ladder this season.

Rookie center fielder Brooks Lee will join the injured list with biceps tendinitis. Outfielder Kyle Farmer was activated after a rehab assignment in St. Paul with a right shoulder strain. Right-handed pitcher Scott Blewitt was also recalled from the Saints.

The 28-year-old Blewitt signed with the Twins as a free agent in January and has five wins and two draws with a 3.66 earned run average in 51⅔ innings with the Saints (three starts). He has played in the major leagues with the Royals, though he has only made five appearances.