MLB's Ryu Hyun-jin Completes 10 Years of Service

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin has celebrated 10 years of service in Major League Baseball, his agent Boras Corporation said Tuesday.

An athlete playing for more than 172 days accrues one year of service time, but this was adjusted in 2020 due to a shorter pro-baseball season during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Since debuting with the L.A. Dodgers in 2013, Ryu was able to log 10 years despite undergoing shoulder surgery in 2015 and elbow surgery this year because of a rule recognizing injury time as active duty. 

Former MLB players Park Chan-ho (14 years 50 days) and Choo Shin-soo are two other Koreans who achieved more than 10 years of service time.  

That makes Ryu eligible for an MLB pension. A pro U.S. baseball player whose service time exceeds 10 years receives an annual pension of US$67,776 when he turns 45. Ryu hopes to return to the mound next year.