The Toronto Blue Jays’ Ryu Hyun-jin’s return to the mound will be delayed until early August.

“Left-hander Hyun-jin Ryu will not join 스포츠토토 the rotation for this weekend’s three-game homestand against the Los Angeles Angels, according to manager John Schneider,” Canadian outlet Sportsnet reported on Aug. 25 (ET), adding, “According to Schneider, Ryu, who is returning from Tommy John surgery, will throw one simulated game.

The outlet went on to say, “However, a return against the Angels has not been completely ruled out. If Ryu were to return against the Angels, he would be expected to either start against pitcher Shohei Ohtani or face Ohtani as a hitter, which would effectively wipe out his chances of facing Ohtani this season.

It’s an unexpected decision. In four minor league rehab starts, Ryu has pitched 18 innings, allowing four runs on 13 hits and one walk while striking out 16. Two wins and a 2.00 ERA.

Most notably, in his last checkup, a Triple-A game on April 22, he allowed two runs on three hits and one walk over six innings, striking out five and walking two, and upped his fastball velocity to a high of 90.8 mph and an average of 88.4 mph while throwing 85 pitches. Very close to his 89.3 mph average velocity before elbow surgery.

Sportsnet reported, “Ryu’s minor league rehab assignment, scheduled for one month, will end on Aug. 4. That’s when he should be fully healthy and ready to rejoin the rotation.” “The Blue Jays have an off-day on Friday before heading out on a 17-game road trip, starting with a game against the Angels. Ryu is expected to return to the rotation during this stretch.

Ryu arrived at Dodger Stadium in time to join the team for a road game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Schneider didn’t give Ryu the “green light” right away because he wanted to perfect him. Instead of pitching out of the bullpen, he pitched in a simulated game to further refine his conditioning and mechanics.

In addition, Yusei Kikuchi and Alec Manoa, who have been showing signs of anxiety, have pitched well in their recent outings, which may have contributed to Ryu’s delayed return.

After the three-game series against the Dodgers, Toronto will take 28 days off before returning to Rogers Centre for a three-game series against the Angels and a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on April 29-31. Ryu’s simulated game date is expected to be this weekend, and if so, his return will be for a four-game series against Baltimore on Aug. 1-4.

Toronto’s rotation for the three-game series against the Angels will be Kevin Gausman, Alec Manoa, and Jose Berrios. With the decision to use a six-man rotation for the 17-game series, the best date for Ryu to join the rotation is August 3, when Gaussman returns.

Baltimore is in first place in the AL East, as well as the AL, with a 62-38 record as of July 25.