Blue Jays closer Ryan cleared to pitch in consecutive games

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TORONTO -- Less than one year after he had Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his left elbow, B.J. Ryan was cleared to pitch in consecutive games for the Toronto Blue Jays before their 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.

Ryan walked the bases loaded in the ninth inning but got Pablo Ozuna to ground into a 1-2-3 double play to end the game, earning his fifth save.

Ryan

Ryan had season-ending surgery last May 10 and started this season on the disabled list. He was activated April 13 and has four saves in seven scoreless appearances since returning. The left-hander has struck out 10, walked three and allowed six hits in seven innings.

Ryan got the go-ahead after a consultation with Dr. Timothy Kremchek, who operated on his elbow last spring. Toronto will remain cautious with Ryan, who is in the third season of a five-year, $47 million deal.

"We feel he's ready to go, the doc says he's ready to go," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said before Monday's game. "We'll watch him to make sure he's OK."

Gibbons said Ryan will not make any multi-inning appearances for the remainder of the season.

"You won't see him in more than one inning," Gibbons said. "We don't want him to come out here, cool off and then go back out.

"You can't forget what he's coming off," Gibbons added. "That's always in the back of your mind."

Left-handers Scott Downs and Jesse Carlson and right-hander Jeremy Accardo will close games on days that Ryan is not available.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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