“Blue Monster” Ryu Hyun-jin (36, Toronto Blue Jays), who has spent 13 months in trouble, is about to return from injury.
MLB.com , the official website of Major 안전놀이터 League Baseball, reported on the 23rd (Korea Standard Time) that “left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, will join the Toronto Blue Jays’ expedition to Los Angeles.”
Ryu Hyun-jin, who underwent elbow ligament surgery in June last year, conducted a rehabilitation program in Dunedin, Florida, where the Toronto spring camp facility is located. Ryu Hyun-jin prepared to return to the big leagues through four minor league rehabilitation appearances in July, following bullpen pitching in May and live pitching in June. In particular, he made a complete recovery with three hits (two home runs) in six innings, one walk, five strikeouts, and two runs in the Triple-A game on the 22nd. With 85 pitches, he raised his fastball speed to 90.8 miles (146 kilometers).
MLB.com said, “Ryu Hyun-jin’s appearance in Triple-A rehabilitation went smoothly. It is highly likely that it was his last appearance in his return to the Major League. “Ryu Hyun-jin threw 85 pitches in six innings, and he will go on an away trip to the LA Dodgers with the Toronto team on the 25th.”
Ryu Hyun-jin is expected to return in three consecutive weekend games against the LA Angels from the 29th to the 31st after adjusting to the dugout and Major League atmosphere through the Dodgers’ away game from the 25th to the 27th.
MLB.com said, “Joining the Los Angeles expedition does not mean returning to the Major League, but the Toronto club wants to see Ryu Hyun-jin in person to make a plan for the starting lineup in the future. “Just over 13 months after undergoing surgery, Ryu Hyun-jin is on the verge of returning to the Major League,” he said.
Toronto is set to play 17 consecutive games of death from the 28th to the 14th of next month. During this period, Toronto plans to operate a sixth starter that adds one player to the starting rotation of Kevin Gausman, Jose Berios, Chris Bassett, Yusei Kikuchi and Alec Manoa, and Ryu Hyun-jin is ready to return. The joining of “original ace” Ryu Hyun-jin is expected to be a great help in playing 17 consecutive games.
Ryu Hyun-jin, who became a Toronto ace with four years and $80 million, led the team to advance to the postseason for the first time in four years with 5 wins, 2 losses, and a 2.69 ERA in 12 games in the 2020 season, when the number of games was reduced due to COVID-19. He also successfully spent his first year of his contract, finishing third in the Cy Young Award (American League), the highest honor for Major League pitchers.
Ryu Hyun-jin suffered a severe slump at the end of the 162 full-time season the following year, disappointing Toronto fans. Since then, in 2022, he has suffered a slump of 2 wins and a 5.67 ERA in 6 games, and ended the season early with a ligament joint surgery on his left elbow in June.