Ryan spent all of the 2013 season with the high Single-A Lakeland Flying Tigers, where he was 12–7 with a 3.17 earned run average (ERA) and 1.19 WHIP in 142 innings.[2] Ryan began the 2014 season with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, where he was 7–10 with a 4.55 ERA in 21 starts. He allowed 140 hits and 32 walks in 126 2⁄3 innings with 78 strikeouts. Ryan was then promoted to the Triple-AToledo Mud Hens, where he was 3–0 with a 1.64 ERA and .184 average against in five starts, allowing 21 hits and five walks in 33 innings.[3]
Ryan made his major league debut on August 30, 2014, in game two of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox.[4][5] During his debut, Ryan pitched six shutout innings, allowing five hits, while walking two and recording one strikeout, in an 8–4 win.[6] Ryan pitched in five more 2014 games, all out of the Tiger bullpen, appearing in 10+1⁄3 innings total.
Ryan started the 2015 season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. On May 27, Ryan was called up on short notice to start for Alfredo Simón in a road game against the Oakland Athletics. Although he didn't arrive in time to start, he appeared in relief and was credited with a win, allowing one run in three innings.[7][8] Ryan made 16 appearances in the 2015 season, six as a starter, and had a 2–4 record with a 4.47 ERA.
Ryan made the Tigers out of spring training in 2016, and pitched the entire season (56 games) in long and middle relief. He went 4–2 with a 3.07 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, while striking out 35 batters in 55+2⁄3 innings.
On November 2, 2017, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Toledo. During the 2017 season, he posted a 4.96 ERA and a 1.82 WHIP in 48 games for the Mud Hens. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[9]
Chicago Cubs
On December 28, 2017, Ryan signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.[10] He spent the 2018 season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, posting a 2.86 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 66.0 innings of work.
On April 5, 2019, the Cubs called up Ryan to shake-up their struggling bullpen. In 2019, Ryan pitched in 73 games for the Cubs, registering a 4-2 record and a 3.54 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 61.0 innings of work.[11] In 15.2 innings across 18 games for the Cubs in 2020, Ryan pitched to a 5.17 ERA with 11 strikeouts.[12]
After pitching to a 3.38 ERA in 3 appearances for the Cubs in 2021, Ryan was designated for assignment on May 7, 2021.[13] He was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on May 11.[14] On June 20, Ryan was selected to the active roster.[15] On August 12, Ryan was designated for assignment by the Cubs.[16] On August 17, Ryan refused a minor league assignment and elected to become a free agent.
St. Louis Cardinals
On November 19, 2021, Ryan signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.[17] On August 24, 2022, Ryan was released by the Cardinals.
Pitch Selection
Ryan is a control pitcher, featuring low walk and strikeout rates. He throws a 4-seam fastball and a sinker with similar velocities; both are in the 87-90 MPH range, topping out at about 93 MPH. He also throws a cut fastball in the mid-80s, a changeup in the low 80s, and an occasional curveball in the upper 70s.[18]
