Although he cannot start the season due to surgery, local expectations for Ryu Hyun-jin (36, Toronto), who will return, continue.
American media The Athletic introduced Toronto’s 2023 starting rotation on the 8th (Korean time) and said, “Ryu Hyun-jin can be called a ‘wild card’.”
Ryu Hyun-jin joined Toronto at the end of 2019 after signing a 4-year, 80 million dollar (approximately 100.8 billion won) contract. For his first two years, he played a central role in the starting rotation. In 2020, a season shortened by 60 games, he went 5-2 with an ERA of 2.69, ranked third in the Cy Young Young, and won 14 wins the following year.
However, in the second half of the 2021 season, he had an ERA of 5.50, and there was also an element of anxiety. In the end, Ryu Hyun-jin complained of elbow pain after starting only six games in the 2022 season, and eventually underwent Tommy John surgery (elbow ligament joint surgery) in June and was out of the season.
As a recovery period of 12 to 18 months is expected after surgery, Ryu Hyun-jin can return this summer at the earliest. For his comeback, Ryu Hyun-jin is known to have devoted most of his time to rehabilitation, even during the month or so he spent in Korea. 메이저놀이터
Toronto’s current starting lineup is already strong. In addition to the trio of Alec Manoa (25), Kevin Gausman (32), and Jose Berrios (29), there is also Chris Bassett (34), who was recruited ahead of this season. There are also many Yusei Kikuchi (32) and Mitch White (29) who will compete for the lower selection.
Nevertheless, the media expects Ryu Hyun-jin to be able to play his role after returning. The media predicted, “If Ryu Hyun-jin’s rehabilitation goes well after Tommy John surgery, he will help the team in the second half.”
Another media ESPN also predicted that the team could win about 3 wins after Ryu Hyun-jin returned. The media said, “Can Ryu Hyun-jin return in the middle of the season as expected?” and “Toronto’s rotation is not only excellent, but also has opportunities to become thicker.”
Previously, fashion MLB, an overseas media outlet, said at the end of last year that “Hyeon-jin Ryu may not be on the mound at all in the 2023 season,” but predicted that “if Toronto’s starting rotation meets expectations, Hyun-jin Ryu’s departure may not be a blow at all.”
However, Toronto is still waiting for Ryu Hyun-jin’s return as he has been a pillar of the team’s starting lineup for two seasons.