Toronto Blue Jays Ryu Hyun-jin (36) is ready to return to the major leagues.

Ryu started a game against the Triple-A Syracuse Mets (affiliated with the New York Mets) at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, N.Y., on Aug. 22, allowing two runs on three hits (two home runs) with one walk and five strikeouts in six innings. He threw 85 pitches to complete the task of returning to the starting rotation.

Ryu, who signed a four-year, $80 million contract with Toronto for the 2020 season, went 21-12 with a 4.07 ERA in 49 games (263 innings) for Toronto. He finished third in American League Cy Young Award voting in his rookie year, but struggled last season, going 2-2 with a 5.67 ERA in six games (27 innings), and eventually underwent Tommy John surgery last June.바카라사이트

After recovering well from the surgery, Ryu made a minor league rehab start this year. In four games (18 innings), he went 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA, signaling that a return to the big leagues was imminent.

Particularly encouraging was the return of his main weapon, his changeup. Ryu threw 23 changeups on the day and induced seven swings and misses in 15 swings. The broadcasters praised the changeup, saying, “It’s a fantastic changeup,” and “He’s putting it right where he needs to put it,” while MLB.com Toronto reporter Matt Mathieson wrote, “Ryu threw his changeup and induced seven swings and misses in 15 swings. Ryu’s feel for his most important pitch is back.”

His fastball was up to 90.8 mph (146.1 km/h) and averaging 88.4 mph (142.3 km/h). and an average velocity of 88.4 mph (122.3 km/h). “Ideally, you want to see a mile or two of velocity increase,” Mathieson said, “but Ryu has shown that he’s fully recovered. It’s time to make a decision,” he said, concluding that Ryu was ready to return.

Toronto’s starting rotation has done well in Hyun-jin Ryu’s absence and Alec Manoa’s struggles. Their starting ERA ranks seventh in the majors (3.88). Kevin Gausman is back after a brief injury layoff, and the shaky Yusei Kikuchi pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings with one walk and eight strikeouts.

But as the race for the second half of the season heats up, the Jays will need every bit of their starting pitching as they hit the road for a 17-game homestand starting on April 29. Ryu’s return could be a big boost for Toronto.

As of Aug. 22, Toronto is 54-44 and in third place in the American League East. They are 5.5 games behind first-place Baltimore and second-place Tampa Bay. Third place in the American League Wild Card race. If they maintain their current position, they will make the postseason. They are 2.5 games ahead of fourth-place Boston and three games ahead of the fifth-place New York Yankees.

Fans are excited to see how Ryu will finish the year in his final season in Toronto.