He looked like he had lost weight. Ryu Hyun-jin (36, Toronto Blue Jays) finally stood on the mound he had longed for. He spurred his return by pitching the bullpen for the first time after undergoing surgery.
According to the Toronto media Toronto Star and Sportsnet, Ryu Hyun-jin pitched on the mound of the bullpen located in the outfield of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA on the 24th (Korean time). Chad Green (32), who is undergoing rehabilitation with Ryu Hyun-jin, also checked his condition by pitching in the bullpen side by side. Fellow pitchers and coaches, including Chris Bassett and Kevin Gaussman, also observed their pitching.안전놀이터
Toronto coach John Schneider, after watching Ryu Hyun-jin and Chad Green’s bullpen pitching, expressed his satisfaction, saying, “They looked good.” Sportsnet added, “Ryu and Green are both expected back this season.”
The Toronto Star showed great interest by focusing on Ryu Hyun-jin’s news that day. The media said, “Do you remember the last time we saw Ryu Hyun-jin on the mound?” “It was on June 1, 2022 (local time). At that time, Ryu Hyun-jin allowed 5 hits against the Chicago White Sox and recorded 3 runs. did,” he explained.
“After that, he eventually disappeared with an ERA of 5.67 and underwent an elbow ligament joint surgery (Tommy John surgery). It was the second major surgery after undergoing surgery on the left shoulder joint and labrum in 2015. This year with Toronto “It was the final year of his contract, and at the age of 35, a lot of people expected it to be difficult for him to pitch again in Toronto.”
The Toronto Star emphasized, “Hyunjin Ryu is still needed in Toronto. He still needs to be a big league pitcher at some point this season. If everything goes smoothly according to plan and schedule, it will help balance the team.” . Toronto marked 26-23 this season and remains at the bottom of the American League East Division along with the Boston Red Sox (26-23). If Ryu Hyun-jin, who has a lot of experience, returns, it will definitely help the team.
Ryu Hyun-jin is smiling brightly at Tropicana Field. /Photo = Toronto club official SNS
According to the report, Ryu Hyun-jin met with local reporters after finishing bullpen pitching and said through an interpreter, “Just throwing on the mound is something I missed most.”
Ryu Hyun-jin said, “I think throwing the ball with my colleagues as spectators was the most fun,” and after a pleasant joke, he said, “It felt really good to see them. It helped me a lot to regain my energy where I am now.” gave meaning Ryu Hyun-jin threw the ball lightly that day and checked pitches such as curveball and changeup. Cutter is still in preparation. He also said he had no pain after pitching.
According to the video released by the club, Ryu Hyun-jin seemed to have lost a lot of weight at a glance. The Toronto Star introduced, “Ryu Hyun-jin was quite slim, and the effects of a work-out regimen of running and weight-lifting he devoted himself to during his rehabilitation period.” Ryu Hyun-jin said, “I really wanted to make any changes in my appearance,” and said, “My current goal is to be part of the team in the second half of this season.” In mid-July, when the All-Star break (July 11-14) was over, he was Ryu Hyun-jin, who reaffirmed his determination to climb the mound in the big leagues in good shape.
On the 23rd (Korean time), the Toronto Blue Jays team revealed Ryu Hyun-jin accompanying the away team for the first time this season. /Photo = Toronto Blue Jays official SNS
Ryu Hyun-jin, who entered the major league, the dream stage in 2012, appeared in 175 major league games and recorded 75 wins, 45 losses, 1 save, and an average ERA of 3.27.
Ryu Hyun-jin, who has been consistently active for the LA Dodgers, signed a contract with Toronto in 2020 for 80 million dollars (approximately 105.2 billion won) for 4 years. In the 2020 season, the first year of his transfer, he recorded 5 wins and 2 losses (12 games) with an ERA of 2.69. At the time, due to Corona 19, the major leagues were conducted with a shortened season. In the 2021 season, he went 14-10 with a 4.37 earned run average in 31 games. Then, after appearing in six games in the 2022 season and posting an average ERA of 5.67 with 2 wins and no losses, he underwent elbow ligament joint surgery in June of that year and ended the season early. There was a local prediction that it would take at least a year for Ryu Hyun-jin to return after surgery.
He underwent major surgery at a not young age, but went through the rehabilitation process smoothly. In November of last year, I briefly returned to Korea. However, he did not stay long and left for the United States on December 29th. He wanted to devote himself to rehabilitation training in the United States as soon as possible. Ryu Hyun-jin also said in an interview on departure, “I thought it would be better to go to a warm place and start training.” When it’s over, I think (return) will happen.”
Now, Ryu Hyun-jin plans to take steps such as live pitching and participating in minor league rehabilitation games while gradually increasing his pitching intensity. Ross Atkins, general manager of Toronto, said in an interview with local media, “Ryu Hyun-jin plans to throw the ball in the actual game in June.” Ryu Hyun-jin returned in the 2017 season after surgery in 2015, and left a fantastic record in the 2019 season of 14 wins and 5 losses with an average ERA of 2.32 (first in the major leagues). Ryu Hyun-jin, who stood up like a tumbler despite the concerns around him. Will he be able to show off his revival in the second half of this season as well? Korean fans’ expectations are rising.