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[이데일리 스타in 이석무 기자] ‘Korean Monster’ Ryu Hyun-jin (34) is finally making their first appearance in the US professional baseball major league demonstration game.
On the 4th (hereinafter, Korean time), a local press in Toronto said, “Ryu Hyun-jin will start the demonstration game on the 6th.” Toronto will play a demonstration game against the Baltimore Orioles at TD Ball Park in Dunedin, Florida, USA on this day. The Baltimore starter was announced as Matt Harvey, a former New York Mets ace.
Ryu Hyun-jin is expected to start avoiding Baltimore and the New York Yankees, which are the same American League Eastern District team. However, we overturned our expectations and made our first appearance in the same district, Baltimore.
Ryu Hyun-jin joined the spring camp on the 17th of last month in local time, went through bullpen pitching on the 25th, and went on to live pitching on the 1st. It is said that when he joined Spring Camp, he made a body capable of pitching about 50 pitches.
Toronto coach Charlie Monteyo said, “Hyunjin Ryu has a plan. He knows what to do to prepare for the start and is very focused on the plan.”
Ryu Hyun-jin left the Los Angeles Dodgers, who played for 7 years after becoming a free agent (FA) after the 2019 season, and signed a contract with Toronto for 4 years for 80 million dollars. Although expectations and concerns crossed, Ryu Hyun-jin did his part as the team’s first starter. He started in 12 games last year and played an active part with an average ERA of 2.69 with 5 wins and 2 losses. He was also among the three finalists in the American League Cy Young. Thanks to Ryu Hyun-jin’s performance, Toronto reached the post-season advancement in four years, gaining the criticism of being a low-middle-tier power.
Ryu Hyun-jin has heavier shoulders this year. Toronto, which gained confidence from last year’s success, raised its power through active investment this season. Outfielder George Springer and infielder Marcus Simeon were recruited to strengthen the batting line, and relief pitcher Kirby Yeats was brought in to reinforce the back door.
However, it is true that there are still insufficient starting pitchers to support Ryu Hyun-jin. First starter Ryu Hyun-jin’s shoulders are bound to get heavier. Ryu Hyun-jin, who was about to start the first demonstration game, said, “If there is no abnormality in health, there is no problem in playing the full season.”