Blue Jays Pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin to Continue Rehab in U.S.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin left for the U.S. on Thursday, about a month earlier than usual, for his club's spring camp in Florida. 

He will continue rehabilitation for an elbow injury there after surgery in the middle of the last season. 

Since he began playing in the Major League Baseball in 2013, Ryu has been going back to the U.S. in late January or early February, when MLB teams start their spring training. 

"I just want to practice pitching in a warmer place," he said. "My club also asked me to return earlier." 

Ryu had a hard time maintaining his form due to a recurring elbow injury last season. In June he ended up having the so-called "Tommy John surgery," in which a torn ligament in the elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body, and was out for the rest of the season. 

It usually takes 12 to 18 months to recover fully. 

"I'll focus on the rehab and try my very best to return to the club in July," Ryu said. 

Ryu signed an $80-million, four-year contract with the Blue Jays before the 2020 season and becomes a free agent after the upcoming season.