As elbow rehab advances, Ryu wants to finish what he started
LAKELAND, Fla. — It’s been three years since three phrases reintroduced the Blue Jays to the remainder of the league: Hyun Jin Ryu.
Those have been the early days of the period the Blue Jays nonetheless stand in, when the debuts of a younger core with well-known final names eased the blow of a 67-95 season. Ryu represented the mandatory subsequent step, spending for star expertise that may present this younger core the way in which and win alongside them.
The Korean Monster introduced with him a brand new actuality. In his first season, the COVID-shortened 2020, Ryu posted a 2.69 ERA and pitched the Blue Jays into their first postseason look since ’16. Since these ahead-of-schedule heroics, although, Ryu pitched to a 4.55 ERA over 37 begins earlier than present process Tommy John surgical procedure in June of final 12 months.
“My goal, my ideal date and time that I have set up for myself is sometime in mid July,” Ryu mentioned by means of a membership interpreter. “I’m going to try to rehab myself to get back to being able to compete at that level by that time. Hopefully our team has a playoff chance and I can play through October with the guys.”
Ryu has ramped up his rehab alongside his Blue Jays teammates this spring. He’s within the clubhouse every morning, a towering iced espresso in a single hand, smiling and chatting. His restoration has been difficult mentally, however his historical past has helped construct resilience. In 2015, Ryu underwent shoulder surgical procedure to restore a torn labrum. Tommy John is extra frequent with a really excessive fee of return, so Ryu’s mentality all alongside is: “I know I can come back.”
Lately, he’s been throwing on flat floor, getting out to 90 and 120 ft. At some level in April, he hopes to throw his first bullpen session, a serious milestone in his restoration that solely comes when his elbow is 100% prepared to start the return to pitching.
“Being with the guys just brings so many positive vibes and helps me to be more motivated,” Ryu mentioned. “In the next couple of weeks, the guys are going to be gone. I’m just going to stay focused and not get laid back. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing mentally and carry on from there.”
The Blue Jays gained’t rush this. There shall be a unfastened date in thoughts, in fact, however that’s a shifting goal. They’ll be extra targeted on short-term packing containers that want checking, shifting from week to week with Ryu, however the entire indicators up to now are extraordinarily encouraging.
“You see him walking around here and he’s in a good place,” mentioned pitching coach Pete Walker. “He misses competing and being part of the regular rotation, but I think he envisions himself being ready at some point this season to contribute at the Major League level. He’s determined to do so. I think he still wants to show the people in Canada what he came here to do.”
This rotation seems to be nothing just like the one Ryu led in 2020. Alek Manoah was pitching on the Blue Jays’ Alternate Site. Chris Bassitt was with the A’s, José Berríos with the Twins, Yusei Kikuchi with the Mariners and Kevin Gausman — who stored his sturdy spring going in opposition to the Tigers on Monday — was with the Giants. The Blue Jays have needed to construct their ’23 rotation below the idea Ryu gained’t be a part of it. That’s not what they imagine, however it’s how a entrance workplace must function to guard themselves. Anything Ryu can provide them in ’23 shall be a bonus.
By July — or August, or September — one thing can have modified. Injuries inevitably occur and performances are exhausting to foretell, even with established veterans, as we discovered in 2022 with Berríos. Along with No. 1 prospect Ricky Tiedemann probably being an choice, Ryu’s return could possibly be a blessing by that point. Besides, that is the precise kind of workforce the Blue Jays envisioned Ryu sometime pitching on.
“I don’t think we can even call ourselves a young team anymore,” Ryu mentioned. “These guys have gotten two, three, four years under their belt now. They’ve got the experience. They know what they’re doing. The guys know what to do instead of being taught what to do.”
Soon, Ryu will end his rehab in bullpens, again fields and Minor League stadiums, removed from the glamor he’s earned within the KBO and MLB. It will all be price it, although, for yet one more shot.
