The Minnesota Twins secured a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs but suffered a significant blow when All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton exited the game after being hit by a pitch on his left wrist. Described as a contusion, Buxton's injury occurred in the first inning, forcing him to leave after scoring on a single by catcher Ryan Jeffers. Despite the setback, the Twins displayed resilience, with Matt Wallner contributing a leadoff homer and a strong performance from pitcher Joe Ryan, who earned his first All-Star nod this season.

Buxton, a key player for the Twins, is slated to participate in next week's All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby. His absence was temporarily filled by Brooks Lee, who stepped in as a pinch hitter, while the team's defensive alignment was adjusted to accommodate the change. The Twins managed to fend off the Cubs, who made a late-game surge to bring the score to 3-2 but ultimately fell short. The victory keeps the Twins in contention for the postseason, showcasing the importance of depth in their roster.

Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros has been replaced on the American League All-Star roster by Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins, following Brown's recent performance. The reasons for Brown's replacement were not disclosed. It's notable that pitchers who start on the Sunday before the All-Star Game can be replaced, which could apply to Brown, who pitched recently. His exclusion comes despite impressive stats, including a second-best ERA of 2.21 in the American League, and he ranks third in strikeouts with 129.

Meanwhile, Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña is sidelined due to a fractured rib, and Isaac Paredes has been added to the AL roster as a replacement for the Guardians’ José Ramírez. This change adds to the dynamic nature of the roster just before the All-Star Game, with the Astros still managing key players during the season.

Joe Ryan has been selected as an injury replacement for the American League All-Star team, joining teammate Byron Buxton. With an impressive 8-4 record and a 2.76 ERA, this marks Ryan's first All-Star Game appearance after being overlooked in previous seasons. Manager Rocco Baldelli conveyed the good news to Ryan during practice, expressing the team's excitement for his recognition.

As Ryan prepares to head back to Georgia, he looks forward to attending Buxton's Home Run Derby and participating in the All-Star festivities. Buxton, who expressed pride in Ryan's achievement, emphasized the effort Ryan has put in this season. Ryan's next start is scheduled for Friday against Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes, allowing time to rest before the All-Star Game.

As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches, the Boston Red Sox are keenly focused on enhancing their starting rotation. Notably, they are monitoring Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan, who is enjoying a stellar season with a 2.76 ERA and a league-leading 0.891 WHIP. Ryan's impressive performance has made him a lucrative trade target, especially since he is under team control until 2027. The Red Sox, if they choose to buy, could pair him with Garret Crochet to solidify their rotation for the coming years.

However, acquiring Ryan won't be straightforward. The Twins must find themselves out of postseason contention, and any trade offer would need to significantly impress them, likely involving promising players like Jarren Duran. The Red Sox's strategy reflects a shift from a previous selling mindset to one focused on acquiring impactful players for sustained success.

The New York Yankees face a significant challenge as Clarke Schmidt is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the entirety of the 2025 and part of the 2026 MLB seasons. This injury has prompted analysts to suggest that the Yankees should target Joe Ryan from the Minnesota Twins. Ryan has showcased stellar performance with an 8-4 record and a 2.76 ERA this season, making him one of the most sought-after pitchers ahead of the trade deadline.

Given Ryan's impressive stats and team control until 2028, the Yankees would likely need to offer a substantial trade package, possibly including top prospects like Jones. With their current rotation in need of reinforcement, acquiring Ryan could provide New York with a pivotal playoff starter as they strive for postseason success.