Injured Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan is heading to Florida after the club's current homestand to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Dunedin, general manager J.P. Ricciardi said on Monday.
Ryan was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left trapezius soreness on April 23, a day after giving up three runs in the ninth inning against the Rangers for his second blown save in four opportunities this season.
Ryan, who missed much of 2007 and some of '08 after undergoing Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his left elbow, struggled with his velocity and command in Spring Training. In nine innings, he allowed eight hits and eight walks and put up an ERA of 7.00, with his fastball topping out at around 85 mph for much of the spring.
The closer got his fastball back to its usual 86-89 mph range once the regular season began, but his numbers only got worse. Ryan struggled in six appearances this year, posting an 11.12 ERA while allowing eight hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings.
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