Rehabbing Ryu eyes return after all-star break
Do you remember the last we saw of HyunJin Ryu on the mound?
It was June 1, 2022, and he gave up three runs on five hits to the Chicago White Sox. And then he disappeared over the Tommy John surgery horizon — trailing a 5.67 ERA.
Many observers predicted Ryu would never cross the pitching threshold for Toronto again.
On the wrong side of age 35, staring down the final year of his contract, tendon transplanted for his sprung ulnar collateral ligament. A second round of major surgery at that, after his left shoulder went under the knife in 2015.
Who needs it?
Well, apparently Ryu needs it. Needs still to be a major league pitcher and at some point later this year, for the balance of the season, as a Blue Jay, if all goes according to plan and schedule.
“Just throwing on the mound is something I missed most,” Ryu told reporters through his translator on Tuesday afternoon, after wrapping up another bullpen session, under the encouraging gaze of a whole bunch of teammates.
He hadn’t seen the old gang since spring training.
“I think that was the most fun I’ve had,” he said, of pitching with an audience of colleagues.
“It felt really good to see them. It helped rejuvenate where I am right now.”
Curveball and change-up are coming along nicely; cutter is a work in progress. But he’s as painfree as any starter, with his arm swathed in ice.
The lefty is a significantly slimmed down version of Ryu as Toronto has known him — the effects of a work-out regimen of running and weight-lifting to which Ryu has dedicated himself since returning to the Jays complex in Dunedin, Fla., from his native South Korea last December. “I wanted to really do something with my physical appearance.”
Ryu hopes to come of the IL and rejoin the team as a starter after the all-star break. “So that I can be part of the team through the second half of the season. That’s my goal right now.”
Another somewhat unfamiliar face in the bullpen mix at Tropicana Field was Chad Green, coTommy John rehabber with Ryu over in Dunedin. The former high leverage reliever signed with the Jays on a two-year deal in January.