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B.J. Ryan, RP, Free AgentHot off the Wire Fantasy Sports NewsBlue Jays | Gaston saw Ryan's freefall coming The Associated Press reports Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said he saw former CL B.J. Ryan's struggles coming when he was hired in 2008. "Even when I was here last year, he didn't excite me," Gaston said. "I think he got by out there a lot of times barely by the skin of his teeth. He didn't really have a live fastball like he used to have." Cubs | Ryan released The Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer reports the Chicago Cubs released RP B.J. Ryan Wednesday, Aug. 5, after he asked to be cut. He felt the velocity and sharpness of his pitches were not where they needed to be. Cubs | Ryan pitching well in minors Paul Sullivan, of The Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago Cubs RP B.J. Ryan has thrown three scoreless outings with Triple-A Iowa, averaging 86 to 88 mph on his fastball. The team has to decide by Aug. 10 whether to recall him, otherwise he can opt out of his contract and sign with another team. Cubs | Ryan starts rehab The Chicago Tribune reports Chicago Cubs RP B.J. Ryan began his rehab stint at Triple-A Iowa Tuesday, July 28, giving up no runs and walking one batter in the seventh inning. He's expected to have around six outings before the Cubs decide whether to call him up. According to Ryan's contract, the Cubs must call him up in 15 days from his first appearance or release him so he can sign elsewhere. Cubs | Ryan will eventually move to Class AAA Paul Sullivan, of The Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago Cubs RP B.J. Ryan will begin a stint with Triple-A Iowa as soon as he strengthens his shoulder in Arizona. "He's not ready," assistant general manager Randy Bush said. "What's great is that he wants to do it the right way. He wants to go to Mesa, wants to get work with his delivery, wants to get himself back to where he feels good about where he's at, how he's delivering the ball and his mechanics." Cubs | More on Ryan Updating a previous item, Sportsnet.ca reports the Chicago Cubs signed free-agent RP B.J. Ryan (Blue Jays) to a minor league deal Thursday, July 16. Ryan will go to Arizona, where he will begin building his arm strength up in minor league games, according to ESPN. He was 1-1 with two saves and a 6.53 ERA while giving up 22 hits and 17 walks in 20.2 innings this year with the Toronto Blue Jays. Cubs | Ryan signs ESPNews reports the Chicago Cubs signed free-agent RP B.J. Ryan (Blue Jays) Thursday, July 16. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Cubs | Interested in Ryan The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan reports the Chicago Cubs are interested in free-agent RP B.J. Ryan (Blue Jays). After Ryan clears waivers, he becomes a free agent, and any team can sign him for $200,000 in '09 and $400,000 in '10. Astros | No interest in Ryan MLB.com's Alyson Footer posted on her Twitter page that the Houston Astros have no interest in free-agent RP B.J. Ryan (Blue Jays), according to general manager Ed Wade. Blue Jays | More on Ryan Updating a previous item, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian posted on his Twitter page that the Toronto Blue Jays still owe free-agent RP B.J. Ryan (Blue Jays) $10 million for the 2010 season. Blue Jays | Ryan released Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports on his Twitter page that the Toronto Blue Jays have released RP B.J. Ryan. Blue Jays | Ryan looking to make changes Richard Griffin, of The Toronto Star, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan has realized that he must make changes to his mechanics in order to pull out of his funk this season. "I didn't think I had to (evolve), but it's really starting to look that way," Ryan said. "It's tough. I have a high-maintenance delivery and it's worked because I've had a lot of appearances. Y'all see the same thing I see." Blue Jays | Ryan admits he may have to reinvent himself The Toronto Star's Richard Griffin reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan admitted he may have to reinvent himself as a pitcher to become effective again. "I didn't think I had to (evolve), but it's really starting to look that way," Ryan said. "It's tough. I have a high-maintenance delivery and it's worked because I've had a lot of appearances. Y'all see the same thing I see." Blue Jays | Ryan continues to struggle Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan has an 8.31 ERA in his last seven outings dating back to June 16. Manager Cito Gaston said he might have to consider using Ryan only during blowouts. "It's just hard to find those spots to put him in there right now," Gaston said. "It's been hard to find spots for him to pitch in sometimes, but all we can do is do what we're doing and hope that he can get his way back in there some way and pitch like he did last year for us." Blue Jays | Ryan having control issues BlueJays.MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said RP B.J. Ryan's problems stem from location issues and a lack of control. Ryan has thrown 56 percent of his pitches for strikes over his last nine appearances. In his outing Wednesday, June 17, he threw 17 pitches - six for strikes. "It's not so much his velocity," Gaston said. "He doesn't have any control. From what I hear, he throws the ball pretty good in the bullpen. When he gets on the mound, he's been a bit off. We could really use him, especially now with Downs gone. Hopefully he gets better." Blue Jays | Ryan has rough outing Wednesday The Associated Press reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan walked the bases loaded in the ninth and left with one out Wednesday, June 17. Blue Jays | Ryan off DL Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan (shoulder) has been activated off the 15-day disabled list, according to The Associated Press. Blue Jays | Ryan to make rehab outing Wednesday Mike Rutsey, of the Toronto Sun, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan (shoulder) is scheduled to make another minor league rehab outing Wednesday, May 13. Blue Jays | Ryan could regain closer role Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan (shoulder) could regain the closer role at some point this season, but will not jump into the role upon his return from the disabled list later this week, according to general manager J.P. Ricciardi. "I don't think it's a role right now that's open," Ricciardi said. "Ultimately, I think B.J. will get back to being a closer at some point. But right now, Scott Downs has got the role and it's tough to argue with the club playing so well." Ryan has been adjusting his mechanics during his minor league rehab stint, in particular working to slow down his delivery. He has given up one run and one hit while striking out two and walking one in three innings in three rehab outings. Ryan struck out two of the three batters he faced Monday, May 11. Blue Jays | Ryan nearing return The Associated Press reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan (shoulder) is close to returning to the team. However, general manager J.P. Ricciardi said the team will continue to use RP Scott Downs as the closer when Ryan returns. Blue Jays | Ryan pitches rehab game The Associated Press reports Toronto Blue Jays CL B.J. Ryan (back, shoulder) pitched one inning of rehab work Saturday, May 9. He gave up one run and one hit. Blue Jays | Ryan throws rehab inning The Associated Press reports Toronto Blue Jays CL B.J. Ryan (back/shoulder), on the disabled list since Thursday, April 23, threw a scoreless inning at Class A Dunedin. Blue Jays | Ryan throws bullpen Monday Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Monday, May 4, and will begin his rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin Wednesday, May 6. Blue Jays | Ryan, Romero ready for rehab The Globe and Mail reports Toronto Blue Jays CL B.J. Ryan (back/shoulder) and SP Ricky Romero (side) will head to Florida this week to begin minor league rehabilitation assignments. Ryan likely will pitch twice at Class A Dunedin before moving up to Double-A New Hampshire. Romero will start for Dunedin Friday, May 8, and again Wednesday, May 13, before being re-evaluated. Blue Jays | Ryan, Romero to begin rehab assignments this week The Associated Press reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan (shoulder) and SP Ricky Romero (oblique) will begin minor league rehab assignments this week. Ryan will likely pitch twice with Single-A Dunedin before moving up to Double-A New Hampshire. Romero will start for Dunedin Friday, May 8, and again Wednesday, May 13. Blue Jays | Ryan to be shut down for a week Robert Falkoff, of MLB.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan (trapezius) has been told not to throw for one week with tightness in his left trapezius. An MRI showed some small inflammation in his trapezius, but nothing alarming was discovered. Blue Jays | Ryan to see specialist Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan (shoulder) is scheduled to visit with a specialist early this week. There is currently no timetable for his return. Blue Jays | Ryan's injury a positive? Richard Griffin, of The Toronto Star, reports the injury to Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan (shoulder) sort of comes as a relief to the team, who were recently debating whether to remove him from the closer's role. "It's the best thing for him to get it taken care of and get back here and help us out," manager Cito Gaston said. "He's around for next year, too. If it takes that long to get him back, it'll be great to have him back whenever he's back." Blue Jays | Ryan placed on DL The Associated Press reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, April 23, with soreness between his shoulder and back. Blue Jays | Ryan blows another save The Associated Press reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan blew his second save of the season against the Texas Rangers Wednesday, April 22. Blue Jays | B. Ryan more aggressive lately John Lott, of the National Post, reports Toronto Blue Jays CL B.J. Ryan said he was not pitching aggressively enough when he struggled through spring training and his first two appearances of the season. Since then, Ryan has three consecutive scoreless outings and two saves. Ryan said, "You just kind of go back to square one and say, you know what, I'm going to pitch aggressive, I'm going to get ahead of guys and then I'm going to expand (the strike zone). That's kind of the key to pitching." Blue Jays | Ryan converts first save The Associated Press reports Toronto Blue Jays CL B.J. Ryan converted his first save Monday, April 13. Blue Jays | Gaston gives Ryan vote of confidence The Toronto Star's Mark Zwolinski reports Toronto Blue Jays CL B.J. Ryan has a vote of confidence from manager Cito Gaston despite a rough start to the season. "I'll run him out there again, I'll run him out there as many times as you can," Gaston said. "If it starts to hurt the team, you do something differently." Blue Jays | Ryan struggles with control Saturday Toronto Blue Jays CL B.J. Ryan, pitching in a non-save situation Saturday, April 11, against the Cleveland Indians, allowed three runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning, according to The Associated Press. He walked three and struck out none, and only 15 of his 32 pitches were strikes. Blue Jays | Ryan's velocity back up Jeff Blair, of The Globe and Mail, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan's fastball has been back up to 87 mph, according to manager Cito Gaston. The team is hoping Ryan's fastball is back up to around 89 mph when he pitches in the regular season. Blue Jays | Ricciardi confident in Ryan BlueJays.MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi is confident in CL B.J. Ryan's ability to close games. "I think a lot was made of the velocity as opposed to the results," Ricciardi said. "The closer, it's more about the results than the velocity at some points. Obviously, listen, if we get to a point where we have to make an adjustment, we'll have to make an adjustment. But right now, there's no reason for us to think that he can't close." Blue Jays | Ryan throws scoreless inning Friday Alden Gonzalez, of MLB.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan tossed a scoreless inning against the Florida Marlins Friday, April 3, while striking out one. Blue Jays | Ryan throws scoreless inning Wednesday Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan pitched a scoreless inning against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, April 1, and topped out at 87 mph on the radar gun. Blue Jays | Gaston concerned about Ryan Updating a previous story, The Associated Press reports Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston has expressed concern about RP B.J. Ryan and his struggles this spring. Gaston could consider making RP Scott Downs the closer and putting Ryan somewhere else so that he can figure things out. Blue Jays | Ryan continues to struggle Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan allowed one run and two hits while striking out one in one inning against the New York Yankees Monday, March 30. Ryan has posted a spring ERA of 9.00, giving up seven runs and eight hits while walking seven and striking out six in eight outings. Blue Jays | Ryan continues to struggle Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan allowed one run and two hits while striking out one in one inning against the New York Yankees Monday, March 30. Ryan has posted a spring ERA of 9.00, giving up seven runs and eight hits while walking seven and striking out six in eight outings. Despite the poor stats, Ryan said the outing was a "step forward" because he implemented adjustments to his mechanics. He also downplayed concerns over his reported velocity loss this spring, asserting that he has learned to avoid relying heavily on his heat in recent years. Blue Jays | Downs could receive some save opportunities Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP Scott Downs may be given some save opportunities this year if RP B.J. Ryan continues to struggle, according to manager Cito Gaston. Blue Jays | Have other options at closer TSN.ca reports the Toronto Blue Jays have other options to close out games if RP B.J. Ryan does not begin the season with the team. The candidates include RPs Scott Downs, Jeremy Accardo and Jason Frasor. Blue Jays | Ryan may be pressing Updating a previous item, TSN.ca reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan has seen a drastic drop in velocity this spring, but bullpen coach Bruce Walton believes Ryan may be trying too hard in Spring Training and tightening up when he comes into games. "The word from my bullpen coach [Bruce Walton] is he throws harder down in the bullpen," manager Cito Gaston said. "When he comes out, he tries so hard he may be tightening up." The team continues to say that Ryan is not injured and he will not begin the season on the disabled list. Blue Jays | Ryan's velocity down, could be removed as closer The Globe and Mail's Robert Macleod reports Toronto Blue Jays CL B.J. Ryan's velocity has fallen to as low as 84 mph this spring, but the loss isn't thought to be caused by an injury. Manager Cito Gaston said he couldn't decide whether or not Ryan would remain the closer right now. "I think he's the type of guy, if he feels like he can't help us, he'll just say maybe use someone else," Gaston said. "He might not say it, but he understands." Blue Jays | Ryan pulls out of WBC The Associated Press reports Toronto Blue Jays CL B.J. Ryan pulled out of the World Baseball Classic in order to tune up for the regular season. Blue Jays | Ryan struggles in relief Saturday Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan allowed four runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning Saturday, Feb. 28, against the Atlanta Braves, according to The Associated Press. He walked three and struck out none, and was tagged with the loss. Blue Jays | Ryan has been impressive Jordan Bastian, of MLB.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays RP B.J. Ryan has been impressing the team during his bullpen sessions in Spring Training. He is scheduled to pitch in the team's Spring Training opener Wednesday, Feb. 25. Ryan is also scheduled to throw in the game Saturday, Feb. 28. Blue Jays | Ryan to pitch in WBC Barry M. Bloom, of MLB.com, reports Toronto Blue Jays CL B.J. Ryan will pitch for the United States in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Blue Jays | Ryan's name mentioned in trade talks The Hartford Courant reports Toronto Blue Jays CL B.J. Ryan's name has been mentioned in trade talks. Previous reports had general manager J.P. Ricciardi saying Ryan's job was safe. | Feature LinksFantasy Football Weekly Playbook FREE Fantasy Baseball
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