The Blue Jays may have some help coming soon for the fifth spot in the rotation.
On Friday afternoon, TSN’s Scott Mitchell reported that Hyun-Jin Ryu is set to go on a rehab assignment on July 4th.
Hyun Jin Ryu will make his first rehab appearance July 4 in either complex league or single-A.
Velo has been up to 88 mph so there’s a ways to go, but apparently he’s in “phenomenal” shape, down ~30 pounds.
Barring setbacks, he’s probably about a month away from helping #BlueJays
— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) June 30, 2023
Where the assignment will be hasn’t been announced, but the fact that he’s down 30 pounds is absolutely phenomenal news. His fastball is only sitting 88 mph, but I’d expect that to bump up a little bit before rejoining the Blue Jays.
Ryu’s best season as a Blue Jay was in 2020, his first season with the club. He had a 2.69 ERA and a 3.01 FIP, along with a 26.2 K% and a 6.2 BB% in 67 innings pitched. He finished third in American League Cy Young voting that season, kick starting a three-year streak (and possibly more) of Blue Jays pitchers being nominated for the award.
“I came here to win” – Hyun Jin
Ryu’s Final 2020 ERA: 2.69 pic.twitter.com/Aw5O4PBhQi
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 25, 2020
His 2021 wasn’t as good, as he had a 4.37 ERA and a 4.02 FIP in 169 innings pitched, along with a 20.4 K% and a 5.3 BB%. He had a hot start, but he eventually struggled towards the end of the season, and injuries caught up to him.
In 2022, Ryu had the worst season of his career, posting a 5.67 ERA and a 4.78 FIP in 27 innings pitched. He last pitched on June 1st, 2022 before his season ended prematurely due to getting his second Tommy John surgery.
Ryu is in the final year of his 4-year, $80 million deal. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, but hopefully he can help the Jays fill their fifth starter role before then.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @Brennan_L_D.