Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Toronto Blue Jays fansite, Jays Journal, has expressed its excitement for the return of Ryu Hyun-jin (36, Toronto), who is rehabbing from left elbow ligament reconstruction surgery (Tommy John surgery).

In an article titled “A healthy Hyun-jin Ryu is more important to Toronto than ever,” the Jays Journal shared fans’ hopes for Ryu’s return on Nov. 11 (KST).

Ryu, who underwent elbow surgery last June, is currently rehabbing at the team’s training facility in Dunedin, Florida. After making his first bullpen appearance at the end of last month, Ryu is expected to throw a live game and make a minor league rehabilitation appearance this month.

Ryu is targeting a mid-July return, shortly after the All-Star break.

As the Jays Journal notes, “With starter Alex Manoa experiencing unexpected struggles, Toronto’s starting rotation lacks depth. Hyun-jin Ryu could be a savior of sorts for Toronto’s starting rotation.”

“Toronto’s starting rotation of Kevin Gausman,토토사이트 Jose Berrios, Chris Bassett, and Yusei Kikuchi has held up well this year, but it’s pretty precarious,” he said, “and Ryu could provide a solution if he’s ready.”

“If Ryu returns shortly after the All-Star break, the Jays could save themselves the trouble of looking for starting pitching help in the trade market,” the Jays Journal added.

Ryu went 14-5 with a 2.32 ERA in 29 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019, finishing second in the National League Cy Young Award voting. He became a free agent after the 2019 season and signed a four-year, $80 million deal with Toronto.

Toronto fans are hoping that Ryu can recapture his 2019 form.

This is the final year of his contract with Toronto. He’ll need to show that he’s healthy after his return before he’ll get another contract.

“It’s doubtful that Ryu can recapture the form of 2018-2020, when he was at the top of his game, but it would certainly help Toronto if he showed improvement over the last two years, when he struggled,” emphasized the Jays Journal.