The Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB) are in need of a starting pitcher, according to Canadian media outlet Sportsnet.
The reason is that it is unclear if Ryu Hyun-jin (36, Toronto), who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery last year, will be able to return.
“Even if Hyun-jin Ryu and Alec Manoa return, there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to perform well,” Sportsnet reported on Wednesday (April 13), adding, “It’s safe to say that Toronto needs a starting pitcher.”
“They don’t need a starter, but they do need a stopgap until Hyun-jin Ryu and Manoah are ready.”
After undergoing ligament reconstruction surgery on his left elbow in June last year, Ryu spent a year recovering and rehabilitating.
He traveled to the U.S. earlier than usual to rehabilitate, and last month he threw a bullpen session, signaling that his rehabilitation is going well. This month, he will throw live pitches with batters on base and make minor league rehabilitation appearances.
Ryu is targeting a return in the middle of next month, shortly after the All-Star break.
Toronto has been struggling with its starting rotation as ace Manoa has suffered an unexpected slump. After going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA last year, Manoa is just 1-7 with a 6.36 ERA in 13 starts this season and recently went on a rehab assignment to try and fix the issues.
Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassett, and Yusei Kikuchi are holding up, but the starting rotation situation is far from ideal.
With so many variables, Sportsnet believes an outside transfusion is needed to stabilize the starting rotation.
Sportsnet also recommended a few players who could be brought in. Among them was Ben Lively (Cincinnati Reds), who played for the Samsung Lions in the KBO.메이저사이트
Lively pitched for Samsung from 2019-2021, posting a 10-12 record with a 4.14 ERA.
After returning to the U.S. after the 2021 season, Lively spent last year in the minors and again this year in the minors before making his big league debut last month. In seven appearances in the big leagues this year, he is 3-4 with a 4.21 ERA.
In addition to Lively, Sportsnet lists left-hander Joey Lucchesi (New York Mets), right-hander Chase Anderson (Colorado Rockies), and right-hander Paolo Espino (Washington Nationals) as possible targets.