The Blue Jays announced that they placed Hyun Jin Ryu on the 10-day injured list with left forearm inflammation. left handed Ryan Boruckiwho started the year on the IL with a thigh strain will swap places with Ryu and take his roster spot.
Ryu started yesterday’s game for the Jays but only managed 53 pitches at reduced speed, an indication that something was likely amiss. No timeline has been given for Ryu’s absence, but any arm injury for a pitcher is worrisome. The southpaw had just started the third season of the four-year deal he signed to join the Blue Jays ahead of the 2020 campaign. At the time the club had had a lousy few seasons but had seen the debuts of prospects Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggioheralding the beginning of a new competitive window.
Ryu finished an elite 2019 season with the Dodgers, throwing 182 2/3 innings with 2.32 ERA balls. However, there was cause for concern as he had struggled to stay on the mound for the past four seasons. He stayed healthy through the truncated 2020 season, making 12 starts with a 2.69 ERA, which helped the Jays reach the extended postseason. Last year, he made two short trips to the IL and managed to log 169 innings despite his ERA soaring to 4.37 and his strikeout rate falling to 20.4%, the lowest such rate in years.
Although it may have been passed by people like Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman and Alex Manoah, Ryu was still referred to as a regular member of the Jays’ rotation. As it is now deferred indefinitely, Ross Stripling will take his place per Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith. Stripling got off to a points start on Friday, throwing four scoreless innings against the Athletics, throwing 62 pitches in the process.
As for Borucki, he will add a fresh arm to the team’s bullpen. After switching to relief from the start in 2020, the left-hander put in an excellent performance in the 2020 campaign. He pitched 16 2/3 innings with a 2.70 ERA, a 28.8% strikeout rate, but a worrying 16.4% walk rate. In 2021, he brought walks down to 11.2% but also saw his strikeout rate drop to 21.4% and ERA soared to 4.94. The 28-year-old has run out of options and needs to stay on the list or lose his spot. The current 28-man roster will shrink to 26 after May 1st.