145 km/h, 66 balls a monster in search of power

Ryu Hyun-jin throws five innings of one-run ball in rehab start
Hyun-jin Ryu’s return to the big leagues is on track with increased pitch counts

The “Blue Monster” Ryu Hyun-jin (36-Toronto) has earned a passing grade at Triple-A. The next step is a return to the big leagues, as long as he completes his pitch count in his next start.

Hyun-jin Ryu, who has been making minor league rehabilitation appearances with the goal of returning to Major League Baseball (MLB) later this month, took the mound for Toronto’s Triple-A affiliate, Buffalo, on Saturday. His opponent was Detroit’s Triple-A team, Talladega.

Ryu gave up a leadoff home run in the first inning, but was able to keep the game scoreless until the fifth inning, eventually finishing with five innings, five strikeouts, three walks, and one earned run. He threw a total of 66 pitches, including 27 fastballs, 15 cutters, 13 changeups, and 11 curves. His fastball averaged 87.9 miles per hour with a high of 89.8 miles per hour. Three of his five strikeouts were on fastballs.

Ryu said, “It was good to play at a higher level than before. I needed to throw at least 65 pitches, but I was satisfied (with 66 pitches),” Ryu said. After going three innings in his first rehab start (Rookie League), four innings in his second (Single-A), and five innings in today’s Triple-A game, Ryu plans to increase his pitch count to 85 in his next outing.

His body is light. After undergoing elbow ligament splicing (Tommy John) surgery in June last year, Ryu has lost about 13 kilograms during his rehabilitation. 토토사이트 “I lost weight naturally, even though I ate well,” Ryu said, “and the lighter body is helping me throw the ball.