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Hyun-jin Ryu set to rejoin Blue Jays starting rotation

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Jul 22 2023, 9:31 pm
Hyun-jin Ryu set to rejoin Blue Jays starting rotation
Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

After four rehab starts, the Toronto Blue Jays will be bringing up pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu and adding him to their starting rotation, as per MLB’s Keegan Matheson.

Ryu was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery last June but looked like his old self in his four rehab starts. Yesterday, he put together his longest start by throwing 85 pitches. He allowed two runs and three hits over six innings during the outing.

Ryu struggled last season with the Blue Jays but is just two seasons removed from recording a 2.32 ERA. When at his best, he can be one of the league’s best-starting pitchers, making him a massive addition to this Blue Jays squad should he return to form after his surgery.

While it has yet to be confirmed, Ryu may join the Blue Jays rotation without replacing anyone for the time being. With them set to undergo games in 17 straight days soon, it is believed they will go with a six-man rotation for now. After that, it is possible that Alek Manoah could be relegated to the bullpen, given his struggles this season.

If the Blue Jays want to keep Ryu on regular rest, he will line up to face the L.A. Dodgers on Wednesday. The 36-year-old spent the first seven years of his MLB career with the Dodgers, topped off with a 2019 season in which he appeared in the All-Star Game and led the MLB ERA leader.

One slight concern with Ryu through his four rehab starts has been his velocity, as his fastball has been sitting in the high 80s. That said, he touched 90.8 in his latest rehab start, which has been standard throughout his career. If he can pitch as he did throughout his rehab stint, he will provide a huge boost to the Blue Jays starting rotation.

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