The Toronto Blue Jays have placed left-handed starter Hyun Jin Ryu on the 10-day injured list with a right glute strain, the team announced Wednesday.
The announcement comes as Toronto reinstates outfielder George Springer ahead of his Blue Jays debut against the Washington Nationals.
Ryu left Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays with the injury, but he originally wasn't expected to miss his next start. The move is retroactive to April 26, which makes him eligible to return on May 6 against the Oakland Athletics, so he could miss only one appearance.
There's at least some hope the injury isn't serious, and the Blue Jays are simply operating with an abundance of caution.
Hyun-jin Ryu is fine and well. Latest glute strain issue is nothing serious according to a source. With so many games left in the season, I believe #BlueJays are being careful and not take any chances. https://t.co/kNJbdSdgb6
— Daniel Kim 대니얼 김 (@DanielKimW) April 28, 2021
Either way, it's another blow to an already depleted Blue Jays pitching staff. Nate Pearson, Ross Stripling, Julian Merryweather, Thomas Hatch, T.J. Zeuch, Kirby Yates, and Patrick Murphy are all currently on the injured list.
Ryu, 34, is 1-2 with a 2.60 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 27 2/3 innings this season.
Toronto also optioned first baseman Rowdy Tellez to its alternate training site and recalled left-hander Travis Bergen in corresponding moves.
Manager Charlie Montoyo said Tellez was optioned because his opportunities were going to be limited with Springer expected to get reps at DH as he returns from the IL, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.
Tellez, 26, is batting .183/.222/.267 with one home run in 18 games.
