(Photo credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images)

Twins ace Joe Ryan left the team and returned to Minnesota on Wednesday to get evaluated by the team's medical staff after struggling for the third straight start on Tuesday night.

Minnesota manager Derek Shelton said issues with his back and glute led to the appointment with Dr. Christopher Camp as Ryan's ERA has climbed from 2.85 to 3.65 over his last three starts.

'It's very obvious that Joe is frustrated with where he's at, and I think we owe it to him and to us to kind of figure out, and give ourselves the best situation to figure out where he's at physically,' Shelton said prior to Wednesday's game against the Royals.

The right-hander (6-8) gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings during Tuesday's 8-2 loss to Kansas City, with his average fastball velocity more than a full mph slower than his season average of 93.5. He has allowed 16 earned runs on 25 hits over 15 1/3 innings in his last three starts -- and took his third straight loss after losing just two of his prior 13 starts.

'It's been frustrating for sure,' Ryan said after Tuesday's game. 'I think trying to get everything right through the week and just not getting back to where I need to be.'

His next scheduled start on Sunday at Milwaukee is 'in question,' Shelton said.

Ryan, 30, has earned his first two All-Star nods the last two seasons. He has a 52-44 record and 3.77 ERA over 138 games (137 starts) over the last six seasons with Minnesota.

The Twins enter Wednesday's action one game behind the Cleveland Guardians in the race for the final American League wild-card spot.

--Field Level Media