Another powerful starting card returns to the Toronto Blue Jays, which is the only major league player this season with only five pitchers in the starting rotation. Ryu Hyun-jin (36), who has been recovering for nearly a year after undergoing elbow ligament surgery in June of last year, will soon return.메이저놀이터
On the 26th (hereinafter referred to as Korean time), the MLB.com, the official homepage of Major League Baseball, reported the news of Ryu Hyun-jin’s rehabilitation. Ryu Hyun-jin, who is rehabilitating in Dunedin, Florida, USA, where Toronto’s spring training was held, visited Tropicana Field, a nearby area, with the team when Toronto came to the Tampa Bay Rays, and pitched in the bullpen on the 24th.
MLB.com said, “Ryu Hyun-jin, who lost a lot of weight while recovering from Tommy John surgery, is now running towards the end of his rehabilitation.” Ryu Hyun-jin also said, “From the beginning, I have been saying that it is ideal to join the team in the second half after the All-Star break. That’s my goal right now, and I’ll plan my schedule accordingly.”
MLB.com said, ‘The All-Star Game is just around the corner. The All-Star break runs from July 11-14. Considering the optimistic outlook for player recovery, a return at the end of July would be possible even with some margin. Then, where would Ryu Hyun-jin fit in? Will he go to the bullpen? Or should I go somewhere else?’
Toronto has only five pitchers as a starter by the time it has played 51 games in the season. Five starting pitchers, including Alec Manoa (11 games), Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berios, and Kikuchi Yusei (10 games), have been rotating without a break from the opening.
MLB.com said, ‘Now, nearly two months into the season, Toronto is the only team in the major leagues to use only five starting pitchers. It’s surprising, but it’s unlikely to last long in reality. When Ryu Hyun-jin is ready to return, he will be waiting for a role suitable for him. The season is long, and there are always big and small variables. It is impossible to play the season with only five starters, and I expected to see starter Ryu Hyun-jin when he returned in July.
On the 24th, Ryu Hyun-jin received applause after pitching in the bullpen in front of all his fellow pitchers. “It was the most enjoyable moment after starting rehabilitation,” Ryu Hyun-jin said, “I met the players for the first time after spring training. He feels really good meeting all the players. It helped me to regain my vitality here.”
MLB.com said, ‘Ryu Hyun-jin doesn’t need to increase his speed to 100 mph, but some pitchers have a hard time finding their senses after returning from Tommy John surgery. Hyun-Jin Ryu is a pitcher whose changeup is very important, so he will be a key factor in all of this. The breaking ball, which is hard on his elbow, is also one of the last tasks, but Ryu Hyun-jin is doing well in all stages,’ he explained.
Ryu Hyun-jieun said, “I started throwing a curveball and a changeup. He increases his pitch count and should be able to throw a cutter as well. Again, the most important thing is to get in shape to become a starting pitcher,” he said, confident of returning as a starting pitcher.
MLB.com said, ‘It’s easy to forget what kind of player Ryu Hyun-jin was, but it’s important not to forget. The four-year, $80 million contract with Ryu Hyun-jin signaled that Toronto was ready to grow and develop a team centered on young key players such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bisset. Recording an average ERA of 2.69 in 2020, which was shortened by Corona 19, he played a decisive role in Toronto’s advancement to the postseason,’ he said, highlighting Ryu Hyun-jin’s performance in the first season of the transfer.
Following MLB.com, ‘In 37 starts, Ryu Hyun-jin recorded an ERA of 4.55. Before he entered 2021, he didn’t seem like an overpowering southpaw with a 2.95 earned run average. After surgery and over a year of rehabilitation, can he come back like a wizard? He is fighting against the odds and time, but in the final year of his contract, he will get a chance to write his own comeback story,’ he expressed his anticipation.