Hyun Jin Ryu Leaves Game With Right Glute Strain

Blue Jays starter Hyun Jin Ryu left today’s game because of a minor right glute strain, the team announced. Toronto took the contest 1-0 from the Rays, but a potential Ryu injury looms larger for the Jays’ future. Their ace threw 3 2/3 scoreless before his departure today allowing three hits, one walk, zero runs, while striking out five. After the game, Ryu appeared confident that he would be ready to make his next start, per Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star (via Twitter).

Before today’s game, Ryu had done his part with a 3.00 ERA/3.22 FIP in four starts covering 24 innings. His 48.6 groundball rate is down a touch from his norm, but within range for a small sample. His strikeouts were down just a little as well to a 21.9 percent strikeout rate, while he had been particularly stingy with free passes (2.1 percent walk rate).

Ryu might be the most irreplaceable arm on a Toronto roster that’s dealt with its fair share of injuries, especially on the pitching side. Closer Kirby Yates, of course, was lost for the year, while both Julian Merryweather and Jordan Romano – two potential replacements late in games – have also spent time on the injured list. In the rotation, highly-touted prospect Nate Pearson has yet to make his season debut, and he’s been joined on the IL by Ross Stripling and T.J. Zeuch. Somewhat surprisingly, the Blue Jays have been kept afloat by Steven Matz, who is 4-0 in four starts with a 2.31 ERA/3.22 FIP.