LOS ANGELES – Whenever Hyun Jin Ryu returns to the Blue Jays’ starting rotation, the veteran of nine-year big-league seasons expects to feel like his usual self.
Speaking at Dodger Stadium earlier this week, Ryu said his rehab from Tommy John surgery went “very smoothly” with gradual gains in velocity and a better feel for his curveball, change-up and cutter. Now a little more than 13 months removed from the ligament replacement procedure, the two-time Cy Young Award finalist could pitch for the Blue Jays as soon as next week when the Baltimore Orioles visit Rogers Centre.
“My command and my velocity felt pretty good,” he said through interpreter Jun Sung Park. “Every outing that I went out there my velocity kept on increasing. So it’s where I need it to be. And my command at the same time, I’m very happy with.”
At 36 years old, Ryu’s not an overpowering presence on the mound. His fastball averaged 88.4 m.p.h. in his most recent rehab start, with a max of 90.8 m.p.h. Yet for a finesse pitcher, that may well be enough as long as he’s locating his off-speed pitches.
“I want to do what a starter has to do,” he said. “That’s how I prepared myself and got ready for this. I just want to make sure that I do whatever it takes so our team has a winning chance.”
While the Blue Jays haven’t said when Ryu will return, it won’t be against the Angels this weekend. There are 40-man roster considerations in play, too, as a corresponding move will be needed for the left-hander whenever he’s activated from the 60-day injured list.
With Tuesday’s trade deadline approaching, there are many moving pieces on Toronto’s roster. But one way or another, Ryu must be activated by Aug. 3, which would mark 30 days from the beginning of his rehab assignment.
When he returns, he won’t immediately displace anyone from the rotation as the Blue Jays will be in the midst of a stretch of 17 games in as many days. After a couple of turns with six starters, the team would likely scale back to five, but that decision won’t be made for weeks.
Until then, Ryu’s optimistic about what he can contribute to his teammates in the final season of his four-year, $80 million contract.
“Everyone’s working their heart out,” he said. “I want to be part of this team to help them win.”
PERSPECTIVE ON THE BERRIOS DEAL
One year into the José Berríos extension, the deal looked like an overpay. Struggles with fastball command led to a 5.23 ERA for Berríos in 2022, when he led the American League in hits allowed (199) and earned runs (100). Around baseball, some executives quietly criticized the $131 million deal that locked him in through 2028. And to be fair, that looked like a lot of money for an underperforming pitcher.
But give Berríos credit – he’s effectively locating his pitches at the bottom of the strike zone again and he’ll take a career-best ERA of 3.40 into his upcoming start against the Angels. A turnaround so complete would be welcome under any circumstances, but considering the duration of his commitment to the Blue Jays and Alek Manoah’s tough year, that production’s even more important.
If the Blue Jays reach the playoffs, they’ll be completely comfortable starting Berrios in big games. And they’ll be glad he’s under contract for 2024 and beyond.
LOOKING WAY AHEAD
In recent years, summer acquisitions like Whit Merrifield, Anthony Bass, Zach Pop, Mitch White, Trevor Richards, Adam Cimber, Berrios, Ross Stripling and Francisco Liriano all arrived in Toronto with multiple years of control remaining. It’s not always possible to make long-term adds, but it’s been a template the Blue Jays have prioritized often.
With most of this year’s pitching staff set to return for at least one more year (Ryu and Adam Cimber are exceptions), the position player core is the logical place the Blue Jays might seek help beyond 2023. And with Merrifield (mutual option), Kevin Kiermaier, Brandon Belt and Matt Chapman all headed toward free agency, a lot of positions will open up soon.
RAPID FIRE
A’s outfielder Brent Rooker’s believed to be available in trade talks and would make sense as a name for the Blue Jays to explore, as would teammate Ramon Laureano … Trade candidate Lance Lynn would have to accept a trade to Toronto, as first reported by the Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal … Of course with six starters now available it appears likely the Blue Jays focus their pitching efforts on relievers, anyways … Reinforcing the Blue Jays’ need for a power bat at the deadline, they have just two players on pace for more than 20 home runs, Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who are both on pace for 27.
