Tommy John’s surgery could also be on the table for Ryu, who will miss at least the rest of the 2022 season due to a persistent injury at UCL. (Getty)
It’s a disappointing day for the Toronto Blue Jays and starter Hyun Jin Ryu.
On Tuesday, CEO Ross Atkins revealed that Ryu will undergo elbow surgery to repair UCL in his left arm. The Blue Jays general manager noted that Tommy John’s surgery could also be on the table.
Ryu, 35, has been on the 15-day injury list since June 2 with an elbow swelling. This is the second time he has landed at IL this season.
Until Ryu undergoes the procedure, doctors cannot determine the severity of his UCL injury. But for the sake of Toronto, Atkins and the rest of the franchise are hoping for the best of cases, which would be just a partial tear instead of a full one.
“There’s not much research to make the partial shorter,” Atkins said Tuesday. “Is it a third shorter? Is it a shorter quarter? It is based on the patient, rehabilitation and actual repair. However, it would be less if it was a partial repair. “
Either way, this is overwhelming news for Ryu and the Blue Jays. As Atkins detailed during his availability in the media, losing the left for the rest of the season will be a big blow to the club’s initial rotation.
“He’s extremely disappointed,” Atkins said. “He got to the point where he just wanted to compete as fast as he could. We felt this was the best way to do it. We’re focused on him doing it for us.
“Obviously he’s a professional and he’s a very tough person who has perspective, but he’s disappointed because he won’t be a part of that in the short term,” Atkins said.
Without Ryu, the Ross Stripling pitcher is expected to remain in place for the rest of the way. During his last two starts, the 32-year-old has pitched 11 goalless innings for the Blue Jays.
As for the organization’s pitching depth in the minors, incumbents Thomas Hatch and Max Castillo would likely be the first ascendants to majors if another major league-level vacancy opens. Hatch is already on the club’s 40-man list.
The story goes on
Toronto signed Ryu on a four-year, $ 80 million contract before the 2020 campaign. The South Korean native spent his first seven major league seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This season, the left has amassed 27.0 innings in six starts, with a 2-0 record and a 5.67 ERA. He made his final outing in 2022 on June 1 against the Chicago White Sox.
The Blue Jays also made a separate move due to injury on Tuesday, placing reliever Julian Merryweather in the 15-day IL with left abdominal tension. Right-hander Jeremy Beasley was retired from the A Buffalo triple. This is the third time he has been promoted as a minor this month.
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