Most of all, he has been the most reliable pitcher in the Twins rotation, important since they are without injured teammates Pablo López and Bailey Ober. Not that he has given that responsibility much thought.
“Honestly, I don’t. Is there any point in putting extra pressure on yourself? No,” Ryan reasoned. “I’m competing as best as I can, but that doesn’t change someone else’s circumstances.”
Speaking of changing circumstances, Ryan smiled when he was asked about rumors that other teams have contacted the Twins to inquire about his availability in a trade.
“It’s fun. It’s entertainment, but I’m not thinking about, ‘Oh, where am I getting traded?’ ” Ryan said. “It gives the fans and the media something to talk about. My dad even asked me about it. But my mom doesn’t bring it up. Unless it’s to the Giants, she doesn’t want to think about it.”
The Twins acquired an additional pitcher Monday, sending cash to the Dodgers for righthander Noah Davis.
Davis, 28, who was assigned to Class AAA St. Paul, has made brief appearances in the majors over the past four seasons, the first three of them with Colorado. He owns an 8.95 ERA, 51 strikeouts in 57⅓ career innings — and probably a few mental scars over his final appearance as a Dodger. On July 4, Davis allowed 10 runs to the Houston Astros in the sixth inning of an 18-1 loss, giving up six hits (including a grand slam and a three-run homer) and three walks before retiring the side.