Blue Jays' Ryan will have new role upon return

Post #1 » by **LittleOzzy** » Wed May 13, 2009 1:41 am

Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi isn't going to fix what isn't broken, telling reporters on Tuesday that injured B.J. Ryan won't be the team's closer when he returns from injury.

Ricciardi said Ryan, 33, was likely to be back in the lineup at some point before the team's current seven-game home stand.

Ryan was placed on the disabled list on April 23 because of a tight trapezius muscle. The pitcher had blown two saves in six appearances this season, with an 11.12 earned-run average.

Scott Downs has excelled as a replacement, striking out 20 batters and walking just one in 15 appearances. The lefty has yet to blow a save opportunity and has three saves and three holds.

Ricciardi said the announcement wasn't an indictment of Ryan, or even a permanent move, but rather a reflection of the club's success.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/story ... -jays.html

The Flying Gent · Post #2 » by **The Flying Gent** » Wed May 13, 2009 1:45 am

Good. I hope he doesn't become a cancer.

hyper316 · Post #3 » by **hyper316** » Wed May 13, 2009 1:49 am

good news, takes pressure off from BJ

SharoneWright · Post #4 » by **SharoneWright** » Wed May 13, 2009 2:57 am

gp2015 · Post #5 » by **gp2015** » Wed May 13, 2009 3:08 am

Ricciardi said the announcement wasn't an indictment of Ryan, or even a permanent move, but rather a reflection of the club's success.

In reality, it is both of those things 8-)

evilRyu · Post #6 » by **evilRyu** » Wed May 13, 2009 4:07 am

ouch..... let's hope he handles this OK and doesn't cause a lockerroom situation

Post #7 » by **Geddy** » Wed May 13, 2009 4:13 am

I guess it takes the pressure off him, and he can work on his confidence and his noodle arm.

btw ozzy you got to post the other pic of him doing the fist pump.

Jay_Hawk · Post #8 » by **Jay_Hawk** » Wed May 13, 2009 4:52 am

evilRyu wrote:ouch..... let's hope he handles this OK and doesn't cause a lockerroom situation

Until he corrects his early errors, I don't think he should be whining about anything...guy's looked like a HR Derby pitcher early on. But if he gets his mechanics back intact, by all means, the closer role will follow.

RiZ · Post #9 » by **RiZ** » Wed May 13, 2009 5:02 am

he'll get his game back soon i bet...success of a team is contagious to all players

Ramako · Post #10 » by **Ramako** » Wed May 13, 2009 7:12 am

As long as this team is winning like it has, he won't make a peep. But see what happens if we start losing.

I'd trade him in a heartbeat.

v1n5anity · Post #11 » by **v1n5anity** » Wed May 13, 2009 3:40 pm

good news. Unlike in basketball sometimes when a veteran, due to his "name" (instead of his current talent) comes in and automatically becomes a starter or given heavy minutes even when he's not deserving.

Post #12 » by **tsherkin** » Wed May 13, 2009 5:20 pm

Thank God. BJ Ryan, bleh. Especially this year. Anyway, good move.

Zuul · Post #13 » by **Zuul** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:49 pm

Call me a hater but I hope his new role is to throw at A-Rods hip and take the suspension.
Honestly though a good BJ Ryan would make the Jays Bullpen crazy good. So I will be rooting for him. When this was announced at the Jays game yesterday people actually booed. How is that helping?

J-Roc · Post #14 » by **J-Roc** » Sun May 17, 2009 3:24 pm

I like Ryan's attitude. It's about the team. Let's hope he means it and doesn't go all TJ on us and demand to be the closer until the manager decides.