Toronto Blue Jays can withstand Hyun Jin Ryu injury

Something was clearly wrong with Hyun Jin Ryu on Saturday. The Toronto Blue Jays lefthander struggled mightily against the A’s, his velocity decreasing and everything he threw getting pummeled. Ryu lasted just 53 pitches before being pulled from the game with forearm soreness.

As one would have expected, Ryu has landed on the Injured List. He is currently listed as having forearm inflammation and does not have a timeline for when he will return.

Hyun Jin Ryu injury shows how far Toronto Blue Jays have come

It was not that long ago that Ryu being on the Injured List for an extended period of time would have been crippling to the Blue Jays. He had signed a four year deal worth $80 million prior to the 2020 campaign as Toronto made the conscious decision to compete with their wave of young talent. Ryu was the first step in those plans.

While he is still expected to be a solid part of their rotation, he no longer needs to be their ace. That role has been taken over by Jose Berrios, who was acquired at the trade deadline and signed to an extension. The signing of Kevin Gausman, and the emergence of Alek Manoah, have pushed Ryu back to being the Blue Jays’ fourth starter.

There is plenty of more depth behind Ryu as well. Yusei Kikuchi may be the best fifth starter in baseball. Ross Stripling has bounced between the rotation and bullpen in the past, and may slot into Ryu’s place. Or maybe Nate Pearson will get that opportunity to prove himself as a part of the Blue Jays’ future.

That is going to be the biggest key for the Blue Jays. They have the pieces they need to withstand this injury and to continue to have a solid back of the rotation. Losing Ryu is not fatal to their postseason aspirations, unlike when he signed.

The Toronto Blue Jays may be without Hyun Jin Ryu for quite some time. Their ability to withstand that injury shows how far they have come.