Date set, monster comeback stage

The “Korean Monster” Ryu Hyun-jin (36-Toronto Blue Jays-photo) is back.

He will start the Toronto Blue Jays’ home game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada next month.

Toronto manager John Schneider recently said, “Ryu is ready to go. It’s time to move forward. There’s no looking back.” “He’ll be on the mound (as a full starter) with no pitch count restrictions.” “With his body back to full health, Toronto’s ‘Big Brother’ is ready for another shot at glory,” MLB.com wrote, “His Toronto teammates call him an unfamiliar word: Hyeong. He’s more than a mentor (in the Toronto locker room).”

It’s been exactly one year and two months since Ryu pitched in a big league game, last June 2 at home against the Chicago White Sox. He gave up three runs in four innings before leaving the game with elbow pain, and 17 days later on June 19, he underwent surgery to repair a ligament in his left elbow.

Since the surgery, Ryu has been rehabbing in hopes of returning to the big leagues. He worked out six days a week last winter. For the first time in his MLB career, Ryu boarded a plane to the United States before the new year dawned. At the team’s training facility in Dunedin, Florida, he completed a step-by-step pitching program, reinforcement exercises, and muscle-strengthening drills. He lost 30 pounds through a combination of cardio, weight training, and diet.

After pitching out of the bullpen in May and live in June, he made four minor league appearances this month. In his last checkup, on June 22, he started a game at Triple-A, the highest level of the minors, and allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits over six innings. He threw 85 pitches, his most since the surgery, and his fastball was up to 90.8 miles per hour (about 146 kilometers per hour).

Ryu has already bounced back from three previous surgeries. In April 2004, when he was a sophomore at Dongsan High School, he underwent ligament splicing surgery on his left elbow. In May 2015, his third year in the MLB, he underwent life-threatening surgery to repair a labral tear in his left shoulder. In September 2016, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow to remove necrotic tissue. Ryu has come back stronger each time.

The 36-year-old is now set to make his fourth comeback. Ryu’s interpreter, Park Jun-sung, said, “The last seven months (rehabbing in Dunedin) were very hard. I missed being in the big leagues, but he never complained and just did what he needed to do. It made me respect him even more.” The Toronto managers and coaches are relieved to see Ryu pitching again. His Toronto teammates have also welcomed his return. Pitcher Alec Manoa said, “He took me out to dinner and gave me a lot of advice while I was training in Dunedin, Florida, in June.” 먹튀검증

Now, Ryu will be more than just an off-field “big brother” but an “ace” on the mound. “During my rehabilitation, I only thought about getting back on the mound.