The Jays Journal, a fan site for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB), has expressed high hopes for left-handed pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin (36-Toronto) as he prepares to return from left elbow surgery.
In an article titled “A healthy Ryu is more important to Toronto than ever,” the publication shared the fans’ hopes for Ryu on Nov. 11 (KST).
Ryu is currently rehabbing at the team’s facility in Dunedin, Florida, and is expected to make a series of live pitches and minor league rehabilitation appearances before returning to the big leagues.
The Jays Journal predicts that the veteran will be the savior of Toronto’s starting rotation in part because of Alec Manoa’s unexpected struggles and the lack of quality in Toronto’s starting pitching staff.
The Journal also noted that the Toronto starting rotation, led by Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassett, Jose Berrios, and Yusei Kikuchi, has held up well so far but is in a precarious position, adding that Ryu, who is expected to return in mid-July after the All-Star break, could be the solution to erase the anxiety.
If Ryu returns to his prime, it could also save Toronto the trouble of finding a starting pitcher before the trade deadline as they look to make a run at fall ball.안전놀이터
Toronto fans would love to see Ryu recreate the form that led the National League in ERA (2.32) in 2019.
A successful return would allow Ryu to seek another long-term deal after this season, when his four-year, $80 million contract with Toronto expires.
While it’s unclear if Ryu can recapture the form of 2018-2020, when he was one of the best pitchers in the majors, just showing improvement from his two-year slump in 2021 and 2022 would be a huge boost for Toronto, the Jays Journal noted.