Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin was left out of the 26-man wild card series entry.
Toronto manager John Schneider announced the entry into the wild card series against the American League Central Division champion Minnesota Twins on the 4th (Korean time).
Manager Schneider will play a best-of-three series with 12 pitchers and 14 fielders (8 infielders, 2 catchers, 4 outfielders). The Twins, who have home stadium advantage, also have a roster of 12 pitchers and 14 fielders. Most short-term wild card series have 12 pitchers and 14 fielders. Fielders are utilized more than pitchers. Pinch hitters, pinch fielders, pinch runners, etc.
Since the third game is the final game, there is no need for a fifth starter. In addition, Ryu Hyun-jin is a starting pitcher and it is difficult to insert him from the bullpen. Since his debut in 2013, he has played in 186 regular season games, 185 of which are starts. All 9 of his postseason games are starts.
In addition, with Ryu Hyun-jin’s pitching, the bullpen utilization is bound to be low. The postseason is a one-shot game, so if you get caught in the middle, it will lead to a long hit. The regular season and postseason differ greatly in the concentration of hitters.
After his second elbow ligament fusion surgery on August 2, he allowed 9 home runs in 52 innings. He has 1 base per 5.2 innings, which is a lot. He also gave up 53 hits, which is more than the number of innings. Director Schneider could not include Ryu Hyun-jin in the entry.
His contract with an annual salary of $20 million expires this year. After surgery, he returned at a time when the team was fiercely competing in the final postseason, giving a great boost to the starting lineup. Toronto ranks third overall in MLB with a starting ERA of 3.85. The average ERA on the mound was 3.78, ranking 4th.무지개토토
Ryu Hyun-jin, who started against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Center at home on the 1st, is picking the mound for the second inning. If Toronto loses the Wild Card Series to the Twins, this game will be Ryu Hyun-jin’s last appearance in Toronto. AFP Yonhap News
Ryu Hyun-jin was not included in the roster even though the LA Dodgers advanced to the World Series in 2017. He was not 100% fit after surgery on his shoulder. He pitched 126.2 innings during the regular season, going 5-9 with a 3.77 ERA.
If Toronto wins the wild card series, there is a possibility that it will be included in the best-of-five division series. At this time, the number of pitchers must increase to 13. However, if they lose the series to the Twins, Ryu Hyun-jin’s last pitch in Toronto will be the 3rd inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on October 1st.