Ryu close to return with Blue Jays, Romano on the mend

Toronto Blue Jays starter Hyun Jin Ryu is back at Rogers Centre.

The 36-year-old left-hander was on the field throwing with training staff ahead of the team’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday and is expected to make a rehab start with the Buffalo Bisons tomorrow.

According to Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, Ryu will throw around 65 pitches in the start.

Ryu is working his way back from Tommy John Surgery, which he underwent last June. He has made two rehab starts so far, allowing one run over three innings his first time out and throwing four scoreless on Sunday.

In his last start with low-A Dunedin, Ryu threw 37 pitches, with his fastball averaging 86.9 m.p.h and topping out at 88.4 m.p.h.

The nine-year MLB veteran is in the final season of a four-year, $80 million deal signed leading into the 2020 campaign.

Jordan Romano feeling better after leaving All-Star game appearance

Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano is “feeling better” after having to leave the All-Star Game on Tuesday night due to lower back tightness.

“Better than we all thought he would,” was how Blue Jays manager John Schneider described how Romano was feeling after a throwing session on Friday.

Schneider did not offer a clear timeline for the Canadian reliever’s recovery.

Making his second trip to the Midsummer Classic and first appearance in the game, Romano was forced to leave after throwing just five pitches due to some lower back tightness he felt in the bullpen.

He pitched in the seventh inning of the game, forcing Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith to fly out before allowing Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder — and former Toronto teammate — to hit a long foul ball that was initially ruled a home run.

While the play was under review, Romano was taken out.

Romano, a native of Markham, Ont., leads the American League in saves with 26. He has worked 37.2 innings in 2023 with a 2.87 ERA and 48 strikeouts.