B.J. Ryan News: Pro Sports Daily

B.J. Ryan asks for Cubs release, gets it

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August 6

Chicago Sun-Times

"The B.J. Ryan experiment ended for the Cubs on Thursday when the two-time All-Star closer asked for his release and was granted it. ''He just didn't feel like he was going to be able to help us this year and kind of wanted to go home and regroup,'' said Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, who signed the left-hander to a minor-league contract last month after the Toronto Blue Jays released him. Ryan, who had struggled since last season, never regained velocity beyond the mid-80s, and despite five scoreless appearances for AAA Iowa -- including three of the previous four games -- he struggled to regain major-league sharpness. The signing was considered a no-risk move all along for the Cubs, who ..."

Chicago Cubs release left-hander B.J. Ryan

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August 6

Chicago Tribune

"Rehabbing left-hander B.J. Ryan was granted his release Wednesday, ending his brief stint in the Cubs organization. Ryan, who was signed July 16 after the Blue Jays released him, requested the move after reading the handwriting on the wall when the Cubs acquired left-hander John Grabow from Pittsburgh. The likelihood of a call-up from Triple-A Iowa was remote because he was throwing 86-87 m.p.h. "He handled himself great," general manager Jim Hendry said. "He just didn't feel like he was going to be able to help us this year. Kind of just wanted to go home and regroup. His velocity wasn't there, fastball-wise.""

Blue Jay cast-off Ryan lands with Cubs

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July 17

Toronto Star

"The Chicago Cubs signed former Toronto closer B.J. Ryan to a minor league deal yesterday, hoping to add another left-hander to their bullpen. Released by the Blue Jays earlier this month, the 33-year-old Ryan will first report to the Cubs' spring training complex in Mesa, Ariz. If all goes well, he'll join Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs have only one left-handed reliever, Sean Marshall."

Cubs 'real excited' about lefty B.J. Ryan

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July 17

Chicago Sun-Times

"Left-handed reliever B.J. Ryan's loss of velocity and command might be the Cubs' gain if he can regain his form in the minor leagues. The Cubs signed the two-time All-Star to a minor-league contract Thursday after the Toronto Blue Jays released him last week. Ryan had 1½ years remaining on his five-year, $47 million contract. That's a sign of how far Ryan's stock has fallen during his second season after having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. His velocity is said to be in the low 80s. But for a Cubs team that needs left-handed bullpen depth, the move represents a no-risk, potentially high-upside signing if Ryan can regain some level of major-league form. ''We're real excited about ..."

Chicago Cubs sign reliever B.J. Ryan

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July 17

Chicago Tribune

"B.J. Ryan was a dominating closer a few years ago and one of the game's top left-handed relievers. But the Cubs don't plan on rushing Ryan to the majors after signing him Thursday to a minor-league deal. They're hoping he can turn things around before being called up for the stretch drive. Ryan will report Sunday to the Cubs' spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz., and eventually will begin a stint at Triple-A Iowa. There's no timetable yet; his first objective is to rebuild his arm strength. "We'll see how he's throwing," manager Lou Piniella said. "Then, if he can get back to his form, he'll help us, no question." The Cubs believe signing the left-hander is a risk-free decision. They ..."

Cubs sign pitcher B.J. Ryan

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July 16

Chicago Sun-Times

"As expected, the Cubs signed left-hander reliever B.J. Ryan to a minor-league deal today. Ryan, 33, was 1-1 with a 6.53 ERA and two saves in four chances for Toronto this season. The former Blue Jays closer is still owed $15 million from Toronto for the rest of this season and for 2010. The Cubs would pay only a prorated share of the major-league minimum of $400,000. Ryan, who saved 32 games last season and a career-high 38 in 2006, will be sent to the Cubs' spring-training facility in Mesa, Ariz., and then report to Class AAA Iowa."

Ryan reacts like 'a pro' as Jays close the door

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July 9

Toronto Star

"At about 3 p.m. yesterday, when players usually trickle into the clubhouse to prepare for a night game, B.J. Ryan was diverted to a meeting in manager Cito Gaston's office. There Gaston, pitching coach Brad Arnsberg and assistant general manager Alex Anthopoulos informed the Jays' highest-paid reliever that the club was letting him go after a half-season in which he delivered just two saves and a 6.53 ERA in 25 appearances. Ryan's Blue Jays career began in 2006 with a five-year, $47 million (U.S.) contract and peaked with an all-star appearance that summer. But it ended with Ryan as the 13th pitcher on a 12-man pitching staff, rendered expendable yesterday when reliever Scott Downs ..."

Jays take $15M hit

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July 9

Toronto Sun

"The Blue Jays yesterday said adios to B.J. Ryan. The question that comes to mind is: What took so long? Ryan, who still will receive close to $15 million US from the Jays in money owed on his contract this year and next, had fallen to such a low point that he had become a liability that the team felt it no longer could afford to keep him around. His manager, Cito Gaston, who usually would walk on hot coals before embarrassing a player, had said on Sunday he could use Ryan only in "blowout" situations. If a manager is scared to use a player, what's the point of having him take up a roster spot? All it did was reduce Gaston's bullpen to six relievers from seven. So the Jays decided to ..."

Ryan waits to reinvent himself

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July 7

Toronto Star

"The good news from the bullpen is that B.J. Ryan, the Jays' former closer, understands the depth of his current woes and realizes he may have to reinvent himself in order to continue. The bad news is he's not quite sure how to go about it and, for pitchers, experimentation at the major league level is never a good idea. "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. "It's tough when you don't get consistent work to go out there and be sharp. You can't use it as an excuse. You get your work done in the bullpen. It's ..."

B. J. Ryan pours gasoline on Brett Cecil's blaze

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July 6

Toronto Star

columnist Richard Griffin

"As the AL East arms race heats up the Jays seem to be melting down. Forced into an emergency start because of the shoulder injury to Scott Richmond, it was up to rookie left-hander Brett Cecil yesterday to give a beleaguered Blue Jay bullpen some needed rest. Instead, he lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs in a 10-8 defeat at the new Yankee Stadium. It was the Jays' third straight loss. "Sometimes it works for guys, sometimes it doesn't," Gaston said of Cecil's 20-hour advance notice of his start. "He kind of jumped in to fill in for us. Some guys pitch better when they don't know. Some guys need that time to think about it." After the game, Cecil was clearly looking for time to ..."

Ryan fails to help his cause

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May 26

Toronto Star

"As B.J. Ryan trotted to the mound amid a gentle downpour to pitch the seventh inning yesterday, the fans at Camden Yards soaked him with boos. Ryan pitched one game for the Cincinnati Reds, but essentially started his big-league career in Baltimore, pitching more than six seasons for the Orioles. When he left the club in 2005 he had developed into the league's top closer, parlaying a 36-save season into a five-year, $47 million (U.S.) free-agent contract with Toronto. Three seasons after leaving Baltimore, he returned here struggling to regain his place as the Jays' closer and justify a contract that makes him one of the team's richest players."

Fill-in pitchers look as if they're here to stay

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May 16

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"If 22-year-old Brett Cecil wasn't feeling secure making his third start as an injury replacement for the Toronto Blue Jays last night against the Chicago White Sox, it was for no good reason. Not only was the wet-behind-the-ears left-hander the beneficiary of another power surge by the Blue Jays, who mauled the White Sox 8-3 in the first of a four-game set at Rogers Centre, his spot on the team appears stable for the immediate future. Same for rookie Robert Ray, who is slated to make just the second start of his major-league career this afternoon for Toronto in the second game of the series. Heck, you can even include Brian Tallet in that group, a refugee from the Toronto bullpen who has ..."

Ryan's run in Toronto closing

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May 14

Toronto Star

"If the B.J. Ryan Era in Toronto is over after three-plus seasons – which it seems that it is, his having been replaced by Scott Downs – it ended with an expensive whimper. On the disabled list and in Dunedin, Ryan will make $20 million (U.S.) for this season and next for pitching middle relief for the Blue Jays. Downs, meanwhile, is making $7.75 million to close for the next two seasons. "He was just the next guy in line," manager Cito Gaston said of Downs' ascension, some 24 hours after the decision had been made and Ryan had been informed in a phone call to Florida by Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi. "You look back at this organization, usually the setup guys end up being the ..."

Jays' Ryan told to quit throwing for week

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April 30

MLB.com

"Blue Jays pitching coach Brad Arnsberg said Wednesday that reliever B.J. Ryan will be on a no-throw schedule over the next week after undergoing an MRI in Dallas.Ryan has been on the disabled list with left trapezius tightness after appearing in six games this season. "[The MRI] came back really clean," Arnsberg said. "No really eye-opening things. There was a little bit of inflammation up in the trap. That could even be from the deep friction massages he has been getting. They are going to give him seven days [from Wednesday] of no-throw. He'll be there two or three days and then meet us back in Toronto. They just want to let it tame itself down and then we'll go back to the drawing ..."

Blue Jays rescue Ryan

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April 23

Globe and Mail

"It was the start that Toronto manager Cito Gaston was hoping for out of David Purcey, but the finish by closer B.J. Ryan left a lot to be desired. In the final analysis the Toronto Blue Jays still walked away with a harrowing 8-7 extra-innings decision over the Texas Rangers last night after blowing a seemingly comfortable four-run lead late in the game played out before only 13,090 at Rogers Centre. Ryan served up three of the runs in a disastrous ninth inning, his second blown save in four opportunities this year. Afterward, Toronto manager Cito Gaston did not exactly dismiss the notion that he has lost confidence in his 33-year-old left-hander, who saved 32 games for the Jays a year ..."

Jays still concerned about closer

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April 14

Globe and Mail

"The Toronto Blue Jays are off to their best start since 2005, their hitters are tearing up opposing pitchers, and the defence has come through in the clutch. Despite all the positives just a week into the regular season, there are a couple of nagging concerns, and both revolve around pitching. The top worry is with B.J. Ryan, the Jays' brute of a closer whose mystifying inconsistency, which first surfaced during spring training, has dogged the 33-year-old into the beginning of the regular season. Questions surrounding Ryan's velocity, command and just plain ineffectiveness have been raised by members of the media on a regular basis, to the point where pitching coach Brad Arnsberg has ..."

Agitated Arnsberg weary of Ryan queries

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April 14

Toronto Star

"Judging by the mixed reactions of manager Cito Gaston and pitching coach Brad Arnsberg prior to last night's game against the Twins, you might believe the Jays were 2-5 instead of 5-2, teetering on the eve of self-destruction. It hasn't quite gone as planned, but the results are what matters. The seven-man bullpen, the strength of the Jays' arsenal last year, was expected to make up for a mostly inexperienced starting staff. Instead, the 'pen, led by a befuddled closer B.J. Ryan, has struggled to throw quality strikes. Granted it's only been eight days, but the relievers for the season have allowed 18 walks, two hit batters and 25 hits in 26 1/3 innings. The 'pen, after last night's 8-6 ..."

Ryan miffed about possibility of losing closer's role

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March 31

Globe and Mail

"Toronto Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan made it clear yesterday he does not appreciate all this talk about Scott Downs being his replacement. "I know where I stand, but again, my say-so doesn't mean a whole lot," Ryan said bluntly when asked about the possibility of being dispossessed. "So we'll cross that bridge. Hopefully we never come to it. "It's an uncomfortable question with a lot of uncomfortable answers," he added. "It'll happen behind closed doors." The 33-year-old left-hander had another rocky outing yesterday afternoon, allowing a run off a triple and a double to the four batters he faced in the eighth inning during a 3-1 Grapefruit League loss to the New York Yankees. "There's still ..."

Ryan shrugs off shaky spring

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March 31

Toronto Star

"Never mind the stat line – one inning pitched, two extra-base hits and an earned run against the Yankees – lefty reliever B.J. Ryan says if the season started today he'd be ready to perform. Yes, his spring ERA is a bloated 9.00 and, yes, his fastball is still a few miles per hour slower than he's used to, but Ryan maintains he's never depended on sheer power. And he won't start now. "I pitched from deception and location and that's what I've got to get back to doing," said Ryan, who saved 32 games last season. "If you get out there and put the pieces in the right place ... it doesn't matter what the gun says.""

B.J. Ryan struggling, Gaston looks to Downs

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March 31

Toronto Sun

"With five games go in spring training, Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston continues to monitor closely the progress of bullpen closer B.J. Ryan and once again intimated he would not be averse to using setup man Scott Downs as an interim closer if Ryan keeps struggling. "There's still some concerns about (Ryan)," Gaston said. "He'll proabbly get a couple more chances to pitch down here and we'll just see where he's at then. Our option is Scott Downs." Clearly, that scenario is not what Ryan wants to hear. "I know where I stand but, then again, my say-so doesn't mean a whole lot," Ryan said. "Hopefully we never come to it. It's an uncomfortable question with a lot of uncomfortable answers." ..."

Ryan's velocity falling too fast

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March 27

Toronto Sun

"As if the Blue Jays didn't have enough pitching headaches, concern is growing that closer B.J. Ryan has lost something off his fastball. Ryan, who missed the entire 2007 season after blowing out his left elbow, had a remarkable 2008 season, considering he was less than a season removed from reconstructive surgery. He had 32 saves, a 2.95 earned-run average and limited opponents to a .212 batting average. Ryan's velocity had slipped, understandably, from 89-90 m.p.h. to 86-87 last year after surgery, but increased marginally as the year went on to occasionally hit 90. This spring, however, he has lost about five or six m.p.h. from the end of last season and he's showing no signs of ..."

Blue Jays closer may miss season's start

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March 27

Toronto Star

"The Blue Jays are very concerned about bullpen closer B.J. Ryan – concerned with his loss of velocity despite seemingly being 100 per cent healthy. The Jays won't say it, but the possibility exists Ryan could be left behind in Florida when the regular season starts April 6 at the Rogers Centre. "We're going to try and do the right thing," Jays manager Cito Gaston said. "It's like the World Baseball Classic when he realized, `I can't help these guys.' And he was smart enough to stay back. He's the type of guy who, if he feels he can't help, he'd just say, `Maybe you can use somebody else.' He might not say it, but he understands.""

Ryan still work in progress

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March 7

Toronto Star

"After watching Phillies centre fielder Chris Walker foul off two straight pitches, B.J. Ryan delivered his next one inside and found himself in yet another spring training predicament – two runners on and a full count against a once-promising prospect with something to prove. Ryan, the Jays' main closer, skipped the World Baseball Classic so he could correct the control problems that dogged him in his first two spring appearances. But four batters into yesterday's outing in a B game against the Phillies, the two-time all-star couldn't retire Walker, a former sixth-round pick who hasn't reached the majors in seven pro seasons."

Struggling Ryan opts to pass on Classic

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March 3

Toronto Star

"Blue Jays reliever B.J. Ryan can feel the small mechanical mistakes he's been making on the mound this spring. And after talking with Jays pitching coach Brad Arnsberg, he knows just which bad habits have saddled him with a 36.00 earned-run average after a pair of brief appearances. But with the World Baseball Classic looming, the Jays' closer also knows he can only solve those problems with repetition and coaching. So, Ryan decided late Sunday to surrender his spot on Team USA, remain with the Jays and sort out the technical glitches that are holding him back. After yesterday's bullpen session, he said he owed it to both the Jays and Team USA to skip the WBC."

No Classic for Ryan

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March 2

Globe and Mail

"B.J. Ryan, who has been struggling with his control so far at spring training with the Toronto Blue Jays, has decided to skip pitching for Team USA at the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The U.S. will hold their first workout on Monday in Tampa, Fla., but the Blue Jays closer will not be there. "I have decided to remain in camp with the Blue Jays rather than depart for the WBC with Team USA," Ryan said in a statement that was issued early Monday morning by the U.S. team. "This was an especially tough decision because of the honour of playing for my country, but I feel it is the best interest of Team USA and the Toronto Blue Jays organization to not participate. "I do not see it as being ..."

B.J. is out of WBC

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March 2

Toronto Sun

"The Blue Jays got their wish. Struggling closer B.J. Ryan phoned Team USA pitching coach Marcel Lachemann last night to say he is withdrawing from the World Baseball Classic."

Ryan out of World Baseball Classic

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March 2

MLB.com

"Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan has pulled himself out of the World Baseball Classic due to concerns about the current state of his mechanics. Ryan labored through his first two spring outings for Toronto and has decided that remaining in camp with his own club was the best way to sort through the issues. Ryan was scheduled to pitch for the United States in an exhibition against the Blue Jays on Wednesday at Dunedin Stadium, but the left-hander will be replaced on Team USA's roster. Ryan, who chose not to take part in the Classic in 2006 after just signing a long-term contract with Toronto, was looking forward to participating in the event this year. "This was an especially tough decision ..."

Ryan has some work to do

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March 1

Globe and Mail

"In the Toronto Blue Jays' perfect world - and, yes, there is such a place, so stop snickering - Roy Halladay and B.J. Ryan would often be working on the same day. Manager Cito Gaston speaks openly about saving Halladay some innings here and there, to avoid what Halladay himself admitted Saturday is a natural desire to "sometimes (finish games) just to do it." And Ryan is, of course, the team's big bullpen ticket. Forty saves for Ryan would mean the team has done much better than many expect. So there they were Saturday in a Grapefruit League game at Dunedin Stadium against the Atlanta Braves - Halladay finishing up his stint, Ryan firing in the bullpen mound. Of course, since it's spring ..."

Revitalized Ryan says he's 'ready to rip 'em'

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February 25

Toronto Star

"Under a cloudless sky at the Bobby Mattick Training Centre, Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan spent yesterday morning cruising the outfield during batting practice, shagging fly balls. Sort of. He did snag a few, but spent more time chatting with Roy Halladay and some other pitchers, sharing jokes and fostering the carefree mood that typifies spring training. Today it gets a little more serious for Ryan, who is scheduled to pitch the fifth inning of the pre-season opener against the New York Yankees. Last year, Ryan entered spring training at the end of a year-long rehab from Tommy John surgery, but yesterday he pronounced his left arm healthier than ever and plans to prove it both in the ..."

Shaky Ryan the closer, like it or not

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September 7

Toronto Star

"The moment Gregg Zaun's 13th-inning slam disappeared behind the right-field fence over a leaping Rocco Baldelli yesterday, a huge weight was lifted from the shoulders of two men – second baseman Joe Inglett and closer B.J. Ryan – who had combined to sabotage a 3-0 Jays lead in the ninth. Yes, redemption was sweet. The torching began when Ryan entered with a 3-0 lead and promptly yielded a two-run homer to Baldelli. Still nursing a one-run lead for save No.28, the scrappy Inglett misplayed a soft Dioner Navarro liner into a run-scoring error. The suddenly tied score gave Ryan his fourth blown save of the season. "I didn't pick B.J. up and it hurts," Inglett said of his blatant misread of ..."

Jays optimistic Ryan will find his old form

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August 3

Toronto Sun

columnist Ken Fidlin

"Even on a team that boasts the best overall bullpen statistics in all of baseball, there is nothing so jarring as a lead that disappears in the ninth inning. In those moments, those shiny numbers mean nothing. It is why the bullpen closer often makes more than the rest of the relief corps combined, as is the case on the Blue Jays. Nobody on the staff can instill the same measure of confidence as a stud closer. Conversely, no other player can deflate an entire team as a closer who fails. For the most part this season, B.J. Ryan has bounced back reasonably well after Tommy John elbow surgery early in 2007. He recovered faster than most and has blown only three saves in 23 opportunities while ..."

Did Jays rush Ryan?

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June 14

Toronto Sun

"Despite recent closer woes with B.J. Ryan, guess which team has the longest streak of consecutive saves this season? It's the Blue Jays who, with a healthy Jeremy Accardo, Scott Downs and Ryan, reeled off 15 in a row without a blown save. But the woes are there and they are recent. Although Ryan did get a save last night against the Chicago Cubs, he has three losses in his past six appearances."

Ryan wears goat horns again

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June 12

Toronto Star

"With another typical outing in the books – one run over seven – Marcum was obliged to settle for a third straight no-decision. That's despite allowing only four runs, total, over the three games. The one prior, he left leading 4-0 but a couple of relievers not named B.J. contrived to hand one to the Orioles, 6-5. Yesterday's decision, instead – and again – went to Ryan, this time on Raul Ibanez's two-out single in the ninth that eventually gave the lowly Seattle Mariners both a 2-1 win and 2-1 series split."

Just one stumble on Ryan's long road back

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June 3

Globe and Mail

"It happened. Finally. B.J. Ryan blew a save. But with the New York Yankees set to run out Joba Chamberlain against the Toronto Blue Jays in his first major-league start tonight, and with the Blue Jays' 20-10 record in May good enough for the team to gain all of one game in the standings, it seems like a good time for some perspective about Ryan. I mean, c'mon: 12-for-12 in saves until blowing the ninth inning on Sunday, just a little more than a year after undergoing Tommy John tendon-transplant surgery last May 10?"

Ryan's meltdown costly as Angels rally for win

June 2

Toronto Star

"It's what you want, if you're the Jays: enter the ninth with a one-run lead and your bullpen ace on the mound, needing three outs to seal the deal. Instead, yesterday at Angels Stadium, with the bases loaded and two out, B.J. Ryan hit a batter to tie the game, then allowed a bloop single for the Angels' win. It was Ryan's first blown save in 13 attempts as the Angels scored two runs for a 4-3 victory, giving them the series win, two games to one over the Blue Jays."

'Tough' one to take

June 2

Toronto Sun

""A.J. goes out and does that for eight innings," said Ryan, looking across the locker room at starter A.J. Burnett, "and I go out and cough it up in the ninth. It's a tough part of the job when things don't go your way, but you just have to be a man about it and go out there and take the ball the next night." Burnett had taken a 3-2 lead into the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels after one of his strongest performances of the year. He handed the ball to Ryan to close the deal, just as the Blue Jays closer had done in 14 previous attempts since coming back from year-long recovery from reconstructive elbow surgery."