“If Ryu Hyun-jin returns, Toronto 6 starter?
“With the return of Ryu Hyun-jin, attention is focused on whether Toronto will move to a six-man rotation.”
American and Canadian media predict that the starting rotation for the Toronto Blue Jays this season will be Alec Manoa, Kevin Gaussman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassett, Yusei Kikuchi or Mitch White. When Hyun-Jin Ryu successfully completes his minor league rehab in June and returns to the big leagues in July, he will likely beat Kikuchi or White to join the starting lineup.
On the 15th (hereinafter Korean time), the Jace Journal, which covers Toronto in Fanside, said, “Toronto’s biggest problem this season is the 5th starting pitcher. At this point, either Kikuchi or White will take their place. However, neither of them showed a positive look last season. Kikuchi in particular seemed completely unconfident at times. With Ryu Hyun-jin’s return, attention is focused on whether Toronto will move to the 6th starter.”
Ryu Hyun-jin is not a constant on the Toronto mound this season. He himself went to the United States earlier than usual with the determination to return in July and produce maximum output in the second half. However, there are not that many cases where a player who completed Tommy John surgery and rehabilitation immediately showed the skills of the previous year. Compared to his shoulder surgery, it is accepted as a surgery with a high chance of recovery, but it is also dangerous to speed up the rehabilitation in a hurry.
Therefore, for Toronto, Kikuchi or 토토사이트 White must do their part to improve the completeness of the selected rear. There is no guarantee that future prospects such as Nate Pearson will still explode. Kikuchi, who was eliminated from the starting lineup during the 2022 season, and White, who showed severe ups and downs after the transfer, are expected to get a chance.
Kikuchi is in the second season of a three-year, $36 million contract. He should overturn his 5.19 earned run average of 6 wins and 7 losses in 32 games last season this season. Compared to White, who had an average ERA of 4.78 with 3 wins and 10 losses in 48 games in the big leagues, the expectations should still be higher.
Even if both of them do their part, they will have to give up their seats when Ryu Hyun-jin returns. Ryu Hyun-jin, Kikuchi, and White, who have a ransom of $80 million, are in different positions. However, if Kikuchi or White make stable moves as the 5th starter, Toronto’s first half can gain momentum. If so, Toronto deserves a scenario in which Ryu Hyun-jin joins the starting lineup in the second half to complete synergy.