It’s been three years since a new era of baseball dawned in Toronto, and it was marked by the arrival of Hyun Jin Ryu. 

Ryu came to the Blue Jays as a star free agent, ready to lead the team to greatness alongside an exciting young core. And in his first season, Ryu did just that, pitching the Jays into their first playoff appearance in four years. But since then, it’s been a bumpy ride for the lefty.

Ryu struggled through much of 2022 before succumbing to Tommy John surgery in June. Now, nine months into his rehab, Ryu is looking ahead to a mid-July return and a chance to finish what he started in Toronto.

For Ryu, the mental and physical challenges of rehabbing have been significant, but he’s fueled by his belief that he’ll come back stronger than ever. After all, he’s been here before – in 2015, Ryu underwent shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. But this time, he’s confident that his recovery will be even more successful.

“I know I can come back,” Ryu says. 

The Blue Jays have undergone significant changes since Ryu’s arrival, with many of the original young core now established major leaguers. But Ryu remains a key piece of the puzzle, and his return could be just what the team needs to make a run at the playoffs.

For Ryu, the goal is clear: “Hopefully our team has a playoff chance and I can play through October with the guys.” And with his proven track record of success and a determination to come back even stronger, there’s no reason to doubt that Ryu will deliver on that promise.