Ryan hoping to regain pinpoint control

Post #1 » by **LittleOzzy** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:12 pm

Cito Gaston didn't hesitate for a second earlier this week when asked who would be filling in for injured closer Scott Downs. For the Blue Jays manager, there was only one logical answer.

"Right now, I'm kind of looking at [Jason] Frasor," Gaston said.

Gaston quickly added that right-hander Brandon League and left-hander Jesse Carlson could see time in the ninth inning on days Frasor needs rest. The one name Gaston didn't mention was that of left-hander B.J. Ryan, who was handed a large contract to serve as Toronto's closer, but lost the job to Downs earlier this season.

Ryan's return to form continues to be a work in progress for the Blue Jays, who placed Downs on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained big toe on Thursday. On the one hand, Ryan has not allowed a run in nine consecutive appearances. On the other, the veteran left-hander has still labored with his pitch command while on the hill.

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... p&c_id=tor

evilRyu · Post #2 » by **evilRyu** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 2:39 am

if the jays want to be a contender, they *need* BJ Ryan.... he may not be the same pitcher as before, but they need an effective Ryan... Having Scott Downs as the closer really hurts the depth of the bullpen, which was a *great* strength of theirs last season, and the start of the season. But game by game, it seems that Ryan can't seem to always walk batters, which is a terrible sign

alpha · Post #3 » by **alpha** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:35 pm

Ryan should hope to regain his fastball

Post #4 » by **tsherkin** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:37 pm

Ryan should hope to get the Hell off of our team and quit loading us with his contract and lack of performance. He wasn't even that good before the surgery.

Attonitus · Post #5 » by **Attonitus** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:31 pm

alpha wrote:Ryan should hope to regain his fastball

+1

The guys fastball is 10 mph slower than it used to be and he is worried about control. I guess if he focuses on control and develops some new pitches in his rotation he can be a decent reliever, maybe even a set up man, but i don't see BJ ever becoming a full time closer in this league again. Unfortunatly for us we are paying him like 12 mil a year to do mid relief, ouch.