It has been a little over a week since a forearm strain sent left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu to the 15-day injured list, and Ryu and the Blue Jays are still determining the next stage of rehab.
Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith writes that Ryu has met with noted specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache and is also going to seek out other opinions.
As with any forearm injury, there was immediate speculation that Ryu would require Tommy John surgery, and it isn’t yet known if such a major procedure is necessary.
The fact that Ryu wasn’t immediately slated for Tommy John surgery is perhaps a positive sign that his forearm strain doesn’t involve any serious UCL damage. On the flip side, it is possible that a procedure was the initial recommendation, and Ryu and the Blue Jays are trying to find a second opinion that involves an alternative recovery treatment. It certainly seems like Ryu is in for a lengthy absence regardless, and if he does ultimately require Tommy John surgery, his tenure in Toronto could already be over.
Tommy John rehab usually takes 12-15 months, and Ryu is only under contract through the end of the 2023 season.
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