Jays closer Ryan expects to be ready for Opening Day

Updated: February 13, 2008, 1:12 PM ET

Comment Email Print Share

Associated Press

Ryan

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Closer B.J. Ryan said he expects to be ready for Opening Day after having Tommy John elbow surgery last May.

"It's what I shot for all winter," Ryan said. "You bust your tail the whole time and put myself in a situation where you can break with the team."

Ryan said he thinks his elbow is nearly as good as it was before the season-ending surgery nine months ago.

Spring Training Blog

Check our daily spring training blog with updates on everything our team of writers and analysts are seeing and hearing at the ballpark, plus news tidbits from around the baseball world. Blog

"I'm probably a couple of bullpen [sessions] short of where I would have been if I didn't have the surgery," Ryan said. "It feels good right now, I am where I need to be."

Ryan signed a five-year, $55 million contract with Toronto on Nov. 28, 2005. After saving 38 games with a 1.37 ERA in 2006, he appeared in just five games last season, blowing two opportunities and posting a 0-2 record with a 12.45 ERA.

He said he worked hard during the winter and has thrown off the mound five times, the last couple times throwing all his pitches.