The ‘forgotten’ RYU moves, who out of the 5 starters…may not have a seat
Who should be left out of the rotation?
Toronto Blue Jays Ryu Hyun-jin has entered a full-fledged return process. Rehabilitation towards joining in the second half is going smoothly.
Ross Atkins, general manager of Toronto, told MLB.com on the 16th (Korean time), “Ryu Hyun-jin and Chad Green can throw against hitters next month and even get on the mound.”
Reporter Keegan Matheson of this media said, “Both Hyunjin Ryu and Chad Green, who both received Tommy John Surgery (TJS) last year, are pitching in the bullpen at the Dunedin (Florida) camp.”
Ryu Hyun-jin received TJS from Dr. Neil Elatrache in LA on June 19 last year. The rehabilitation period for TJS is 12 to 18 months for pitchers. Ryu Hyun-jin initially set the goal of returning in mid-July this year. He doesn’t have to overdo it, but that doesn’t mean he can’t just focus on rehabilitation. As this is the final season of his four-year, $80 million contract, he should come back in the second half to fill a role.
The last time Ryu Hyun-jin stepped onto the mound was against the Chicago White Sox on June 2 last year. One year has passed since then. As general manager Atkins mentioned, he will start minor rehabilitation in June. He’s just starting spring training, so he’s expected to play in the minors five times. In that case, he is expected to match the number of pitches as a starter until the All-Star break.
However, from Toronto’s point of view, when Ryu Hyun-jin returns, the issue of adjusting the starting rotation appears. Toronto hasn’t changed its rotation yet since the start of this season. This is because the five of them are constantly maintaining their seats and showing a sense of stability.
If they continue the rotation without any injuries, there is no place for Ryu Hyun-jin to squeeze in. Of course, a 6-selection system can be used, but that is only a temporary measure.
Let’s look at the performance of Toronto’s starting pitchers. First of all, Kevin Gausman is marking 2 wins and 3 losses and an average ERA of 3.38 in 8 games. He recorded 6 quality starts. Jose Berrios is jagged, but more stable than last year. He is 3-3 with a 4.70 earned run average in 8 games.안전놀이터
Japanese pitcher Yusei Kikuchi is also raising his stock price with 5 wins and an ERA of 3.89 in 8 games. Chris Bassett, who signed a 3-year, $63 million free agent contract last winter, escaped from sluggishness at the beginning of the season and meets expectations with 5 wins and 2 losses and an ERA of 3.49.
However, the youngest, Alek Manoa, shows an uneasy corner. Starting against the New York Yankees that day, he gave up 6 hits and 7 walks, including 2 home runs, in 4 innings, allowing 5 runs in the losing game. This is the result of the season with 1 win and 4 losses and an average ERA of 5.40. They have given up five or more runs four times in nine games this year.
Manoa, who grew up as the first starter, is still weak to leave out because he is sluggish. The remaining four starters are all veterans who have signed long-term contracts of more than three years. In the end, only when an injured person comes out or a pitcher whose slump lasts for a long time comes out, Toronto can safely appoint Ryu Hyun-jin as a starter.
