The Twins are clinging to playoff hopes with less than a month left in the season. Getting Joe Ryan back into the rotation would be a massive boost.

It could be coming as soon as next week.

On the injured list with a muscle strain in his buttocks, Ryan made his first start in nearly a month for the Class AAA Saints on Tuesday in Omaha. The all-star right-hander allowed one run on a solo homer in three innings of work in an 11-2 victory over the Storm Chasers.

Ryan’s fastball topped out at 92.6 mph and he struck out the last four hitters he faced. He threw 42 pitches in the game, then threw a simulated fourth inning in the bullpen

“The third inning actually felt the best, and then I went for a fourth inning, which felt good,” Ryan said before the Twins’ evening start against the Tigers on Wednesday at Target Field. “So, it’s good to see a progression there. … I was taking that as a big positive.”

Twins manager Derek Shelton said Ryan’s next step will be throwing a bullpen on Saturday, which he’ll do at Rate Field in Chicago during a three-game series against the American League Central-leading White Sox.

“He’ll probably go with us,” Sheton said. “I would rather (pitching coach) Pete (Maki) and our pitching group sees it. He’ll just go with us and throw it.”

If that goes well, Ryan’s next start could be in the majors.

“It’s on the table,” Shelton said. “I wouldn’t say 50-50, one way or another, but I don’t think it’s completely off the table.”

Ryan’s previous start was Aug. 4, when he allowed five runs — four earned — on seven hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings of an 8-2 loss at Kansas City. Before the All-Star Game in Philadelphia, where he pitched a scoreless inning, Ryan was 6-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 20 starts and had fanned 128 batters in 110 1/3 innings.

He wasn’t the same after the break, losing his three starts — and amassing a 9.39 ERA before he was put on the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 7. But he has been pleased with the progress he has made since.

The mechanics affected by the muscle strain were “good, better” on a hot Tuesday, Omaha evening.

“I think the pitch shapes kind of tell you where the mechanics are a lot of the time,” Ryan said. “Some of the pitches I made were really good. … It was like a really good stepping stone to feel locked in in that sense.”

His return to the rotation would be a boon for the Twins, who started Wednesday’s game 3½ games out of the third AL wild card spot when games started Wednesday, but behind four other teams — Cleveland, Texas, Baltimore and Toronto.

Ryan flew back to Minneapolis after Tuesday’s game.

“I was able to sit down and talk to him (Wednesday). We wanted to get him back here,” Shelton said. “He’ll throw his bullpen this weekend. Once his bullpen goes this weekend, we’ll have clarity on what the next step is. The most encouraging sign is he walked in today and was in good spirits.”

The Twins have Thursday off before starting a three-game series against the White Sox, after which they play three at Detroit. If all goes well, Ryan could make a start against Cleveland at Target Field next weekend.

“We’ll see where his bullpen is at, have a conversation and go from there,” Shelton said.