“Korea Monster” Ryu Hyun-jin (36, Toronto Blue Jays) is about to return.
Ryu Hyun-jin recorded three hits, no outs, and one strikeout in four innings in a home game against Tampa Tarpons, a single A team under the New York Yankees, at TD Ball Park in Dunedin, Florida, on the 10th (Korea Standard Time).
It was the second game after pitching one run in three innings in the Rookie League on the 5th. The process was smooth. He made three consecutive three-way innings, including finishing the second inning with five balls. The fourth episode was the biggest crisis. The leadoff hitter got on base due to a mistake by the third baseman, and he breathed a sigh by inducing a 6-4-3 double play to Jesus Rodriguez. Ben Rice allowed consecutive hits to Oma Martinez, but ended the day without losing a point when he struck out a hooking strikeout from Brenny Escanio.
Ryu Hyun-jin, who threw 42 pitches in his 메이저사이트 first appearance five days ago, threw 37 pitches on the day. He left the mound despite the small number of pitches with perfect pitching content that showed off his peak control, with a strike ratio of 73% (27 out of 37 pitches). The maximum speed is 88.4 miles per hour (142.3 kilometers).
Seven hits, no outs, seven strikeouts, and one run in seven innings of rehabilitation. In June last year, he showed that his control was still alive with pitching without a walk in two consecutive games, even though it was his first return match in about a year after undergoing his second elbow ligament surgery (Tommy John Surgery).
According to Toronto general manager Ross Atkins, the club hoped that Ryu Hyun-jin could throw 80 to 100 balls before returning to the Major League. Therefore, in reality, there are expected to be several more starts in the minor leagues before returning to the Major League.
2023 may be the last season for Ryu Hyun-jin, who signed a four-year, $80 million (about 104.2 billion won) FA contract with Toronto. In 2020, the first year of his transfer, he led Toronto to the postseason for the first time in four years with 5 wins, 2 losses, and a 2.69 ERA in 12 games, even though the shortened season was implemented due to the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). In recognition of his contribution, he also ranked third in the American League Cy Young Award.
However, it gradually declined afterwards. In 2021, he had a 14-10 ERA in 31 games, a 4.37 ERA, and a 5.67 ERA in 6 games in 2022, and in June last year, he underwent Tommy John surgery for the first time since his days at Dongsan High School. He left for Canada earlier than usual and devoted himself to training, and rehabilitation proceeded smoothly. At the end of May, he announced his recent status through bullpen pitching on the Toronto club’s official SNS, but he showed a sudden loss of weight, raising fans’ expectations. According to Toronto coach John Schneider, he lost nearly 30 pounds (about 13.6 kg).
In June, he played live pitching and simulation games one after another, and this month, he finished verifying Single A following the Rookie League. Considering that the remaining stages are Double A and Triple A, it is expected that he will be able to return within this month after playing two to three games.
Toronto-related media also welcomed the smooth return process. However, there is no doubt that the return process is smooth. Canadian media SportsNet said, “The prediction of the return schedule of the pitcher who underwent Tommy John surgery is unclear, but there is no doubt that Ryu Hyun-jin is moving in the right direction,” adding, “Toronto started a five-man rotation for the first time in a month with Alec Manoa’s return.” “Nevertheless, Ryu Hyun-jin, who is healthy, will be welcomed by all pitchers,” he noted.
Caitlin McGrath, who is in charge of Toronto in another media, The Athletic, said, “Ryu Hyun-jin pitched four scoreless innings in Single A. “I threw 27 out of 37 balls with strikes, and I’m going through a good rehabilitation process,” he said.
