(Spring Training) Blue Jays' Ryu Hyun-jin joined by personal trainer in camp
By Yoo Jee-ho
DUNEDIN, United States, Feb. 14 (Yonhap) -- Toronto Blue Jays' South Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin was joined in spring training by his new personal trainer on Friday.
Kim Byung-gon, who has previously worked with the South Korean ball club LG Twins, will be on the Jays' payroll. He'll work with Ryu and also help out his teammates during the season.
Ryu said he and Kim started working together in South Korea weeks before he reported to camp in Dunedin, Florida, earlier this week. And after watching Ryu go through his stretching and fielding drills, Kim said he was happy with where his client was physically.
"It's been a couple of weeks since I last saw him, and he's in great shape now," Kim said. "In about two to three weeks, he should get close to 100 percent."
As spring training progresses, the focus will be on improving Ryu's strength and stamina, Kim added.
"Technically, he's already an accomplished athlete," Kim said. "We're now trying to prevent injuries, with a focus on his shoulder, elbow and hips."
Ryu's history of injuries -- on shoulder, elbow, neck, hip and hamstring -- is well documented, and Ryu had a heavy workload in 2019. His 182 2/3 innings were the most since 192 innings he tossed as a big league rookie in 2013.
"I am here to help Hyun-jin maintain his form and spend the entire season without injuries," Kim said. "He's become a lot stronger over the years, and I think that is why he's been so good on the mound."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
(URGENT) Russian, Chinese warplanes enter S. Korea's air defense zone without notice: JCS
-
Premier League Golden Boot winner Son Heung-min receives hero's welcome home
-
Multiple Russian, Chinese warplanes enter KADIZ without notice: JCS
-
(LEAD) At least 8 injured in S-Oil refinery explosion in Ulsan: firefighters
-
Hyundai Motor to invest US$5 bln in U.S. for robotics, autonomous driving development
-
(5th LD) Yoon, Biden agree to expand joint military exercises to cope with N.K. threats
-
(LEAD) Multiple Russian, Chinese warplanes enter KADIZ without notice: JCS
-
(LEAD) At least 8 injured in S-Oil refinery explosion in Ulsan: firefighters
-
(LEAD) Biden set to arrive in S. Korea for first summit with Yoon
-
With historic Golden Boot, Son Heung-min cements case as greatest S. Korean footballer ever
-
(2nd LD) N. Korea tests nuclear detonation device: presidential office
-
(5th LD)N. Korea fires 3 ballistic missiles, including 1 suspected ICBM: S. Korean military
-
(LEAD) Supreme Court rules against peak wage system
-
'The Roundup' becomes most-watched Korean film in pandemic era
-
(LEAD) Yoon picks women for last remaining 2 Cabinet ministers