Blue Jays Starter Is Done For The Year

It was called "left forearm inflammation" when he hit the injured list for the second time this season a couple of weeks back. Now left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu has been diagnosed with ulnar collateral ligament damage, and is officially done for the season.

Ryu done for year per Atkins. UCL damage.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) June 14, 2022

And as Jays beat reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith says, this could be it for Ryu as a Blue Jay.

Whether Ryu gets a full UCL reconstruction (TJ) or partial reconstruction is still TBD. But it is no longer clear whether Ryu will again be able to pitch for Jays. Best case would be a return late next year
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) June 14, 2022

Ryu left his last start on June 1st in the 4th inning, after having left his previous start with a sore elbow. He missed four weeks earlier in the season due to "soreness in his forearm." It's now become clear what the real issue has been.

He could be for Tommy John surgery, or perhaps just a partial reconstruction. Either way, he wouldn't be able to return until late in 2023.

Ryu is in the 3rd year of a 4-year, $80M free agent contract he signed in 2020. He finished 3rd in Cy Young voting in that shortened season, but had a less-impressive 2021, with a 4.37 ERA.

This season, he's managed to start just six games, and owns a 5.67 ERA, with a career-low 5.3 K/9. If this is the end of the line for Ryu, that $80M brought the Jays a total of 21 wins.

Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports