Blue Jays Put Ryan on DL

April 15, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Michael Egnak
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

ESPN.com reports Toronto Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan (elbow) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, April 15, with an elbow injury. Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney that he doesn't necessarily believe Ryan blew out his elbow. Ricciardi said the team's medical staff is "leaning more toward a strained tendon." Ryan will be examined by Dr. James Andrews in Alabama Monday, April 16. Pitcher Jason Frasor will take over as the team's closer.

Ryan has struggled so far this season, so it's not surprising to see him dealing with an injury. Ryan does have three saves already, but he has also blown two and is sporting a 12.46 ERA. Another concern is the high walk rate. After walking just 20 batters last year, Ryan has already issued four free passes and struck out just three batters. Visits to Dr. Andrews are never something you want to hear, but hopefully it turns out to be a strain like the Blue Jays' medical staff is expecting.

With Ryan sidelined, the Blue Jays will turn to Frasor as their new closer. Frasor currently has a 1.50 ERA over six innings pitched. He has struck out nine batters and walked just two while earning one win. Frasor is solid and should be able to adequately hold down the closer's role while Ryan is out. His career ERA is 3.75 and his career WHIP is 1.33. His strikeout rate has improved over the past three seasons, but last year was the only year he struck out more than one batter per inning.

Still, Frasor should be fine for fantasy owners to pick up and insert into their lineups. He might be a little light on saves over the next two weeks, as Toronto will play the Boston Red Sox five times, the Baltimore Orioles three times and the New York Yankees twice. Ryan owners will want to hold on to the injured pitcher until more is learned about his injury.

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Michael Egnak
Michael Egnak is a Hot Off The Wire Analyst at KFFL and has been with the company since 2005. Covering both NFL and MLB, Egnak is also a key contributor to KFFL's fantasy services.

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