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B.J. Ryan | Relief Pitcher

Team: Chicago Cubs
Age / DOB:  (41) / 12/28/1975
Ht / Wt:  6'6" / 260
Bats / Throws: Left / Left
College: Louisiana-Lafayette
Drafted: 1998 / Rd. 17 (0) / CIN
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Cubs released LHP B.J. Ryan.
Ryan's road to the majors with the Cubs was blocked when the club acquired left-handed pitchers John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny from the Pirates. Ryan wasn't scored upon in 5 2/3 innings at Triple-A Iowa, but he had a 5/4 K/BB ratio. He was working in the 86-88 mph range. The former elite closer will likely be relegated to hunting for another minor league deal. Wed, Aug 5, 2009 06:35:00 PM

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Date:
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Cubs have released B.J. Ryan from his minor league contract.

Ryan wasn't scored upon in 5 2/3 innings at Triple-A Iowa, but had a 5/4 K/BB ratio and didn't believe that his velocity -- which had been in the 86-88 mph range -- would bounce back. At this point, it remains to be seen what the next step is for the once-dominant former closer.
Source: Gordon Wittenmyer on Twitter
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 05:27:00 PM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

B.J. Ryan has made three scoreless appearances with Triple-A Iowa, with his fastball topping out in the 86-88 MPH range.

Obviously the bar has been lowered quite a bit to call this progress. Ryan had a chance at joining Sean Marshall as the second southpaw in the Cubs' pen, but since they acquired John Grabow last week, there is less of a sense of urgency to bring him up. The Cubs must decide by August 10 if they want to call up Ryan, before he can opt out of his contract and sign with someone else.
Source: Chicago Tribune
Mon, Aug 3, 2009 01:40:00 PM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

B.J. Ryan worked a scoreless inning with one walk and no strikeouts in his debut for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Ryan reportedly topped out at 87 mph on Tuesday, and while he could end being an asset to the Cubs before the season is over, it continues to be evident that his most dominant days are in the past.
Source: Arlington Daily Herald
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 01:27:00 PM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

Cubs signed LHP B.J. Ryan to a minor league contract.

The Blue Jays, who released the former closer a little over a week ago, are still on the hook for the $15 million remaining on his contract. The Cubbies will only have to pay him the league-required minimum. It's a low-risk move, but probably won't turn into anything special. Ryan had a 6.53 ERA and a 13/17 K/BB ratio with the Jays this year and hasn't been effective for quite some time.
Thu, Jul 16, 2009 09:16:00 PM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

The Cubs have signed B.J. Ryan to a minor league contract, according to ESPN Chicago.

Ryan will likely be just a situational lefty with Chicago, posing no threat to either Kevin Gregg or Carlos Marmol for saves. Ryan was released by the Blue Jays on July 8. In 20 2/3 innings with Toronto this season, the former closer had a 6.53 ERA and a 13/17 K/BB ratio.
Related: Kevin Gregg, Carlos Marmol
Source: ESPN Chicago
Thu, Jul 16, 2009 05:25:00 PM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

Blue Jays released LHP B.J. Ryan.

Ryan is still owed about $5 million for the remainder of '09 and another $10 million for 2010, but the Jays have clearly determined that the former closer has nothing left in his once dangerous arm. The stats back up that conclusion, but it's still a monstrous salary hit to take, especially when we're talking about a reliever. He was still relatively effective against left-handed hitters and could sign on elsewhere as a lefty specialist. The Marlins have always liked him, for what it's worth.
Wed, Jul 8, 2009 04:57:00 PM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

According to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian, the Blue Jays released B.J. Ryan.

A move was required to clear room on the 25-man roster for Scott Downs, who will be activated from the disabled list Wednesday in a corresponding move, but this comes as a complete shock. Ryan is still owed close to $15 million on his current contract that runs through 2010. The Blue Jays must have felt he truly had nothing left in the tank. In 20 2/3 innings this season, the former closer had a 6.53 ERA and a 13/17 K/BB ratio.
Source: Jordan Bastian on Twitter
Wed, Jul 8, 2009 03:46:00 PM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

Blue Jays assistant GM Alex Anthopoulos said the club hasn't considered optioning the struggling B.J. Ryan to Triple-A Las Vegas.

"Not really," replied Anthopoulos. "There have been some spurts where he has thrown well and there's been some others where he didn't throw as well. It's inconsistent and we'll continue to work with him. You never know with relievers when they're going to click again." Ryan has a 6.53 ERA and a 13/17 K/BB ratio in 20 2/3 innings out of Toronto's bullpen this season.
Source: Toronto Sun
Wed, Jul 8, 2009 09:35:00 AM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

B.J. Ryan gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning Monday against the Orioles.

Ryan pitched scoreless innings in his first three appearances back from the DL, but he gave up a run Saturday and now two today after a rally started by an infield single. It may not have helped matters that manager Cito Gaston had Ryan issue an intentional walk to the struggling Melvin Mora so that he could face Aubrey Huff, who hit a sac fly.
Mon, May 25, 2009 04:58:00 PM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

B.J. Ryan pitched a scoreless ninth inning in a win over the White Sox on Friday night.

It wasn't a save situation, and his velocity wasn't all that impressive, but it's progress nonetheless. Scott Downs will continue to serve in the role of closer for now.
Fri, May 15, 2009 10:40:00 PM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

Blue Jays activated RHP B.J. Ryan from the 15-day disabled list.

Keep in mind that Ryan is returning to a setup role, not to ninth-inning duties. He'll have to put on a heck of a show to usurp Scott Downs from that role.
Fri, May 15, 2009 09:38:00 AM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said Tuesday that B.J. Ryan won't immediately re-inherit the closer's role once he returns from the disabled list.

The Blue Jays, who are off to an incredible start and sit atop the American League standings, will continue to use Scott Downs in the ninth inning. "I think B.J. understands that at this point," Ricciardi said. "One thing about B.J. that you respect is the fact that he wants to win. I think right now with Downs doing such a good job and the club being comfortable in that role I don't think it's a role right now that's open. Ultimately I think B.J. will get back to being a closer at some point but I think right now Downs has got the role. Tough to argue with the club playing so well." Ryan is expected to return by week's end and will operate in a setup role. He had an 11.12 ERA in six games before he was sidelined.
Related: Scott Downs
Source: Toronto Globe and Mail
Tue, May 12, 2009 06:27:00 PM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

B.J. Ryan (trapezius) struck out two in a perfect inning for Single-A Dunedin on Monday.

Ryan has allowed one run on one hit and one walk in three innings since beginning his rehab assignment. He'll probably pitch at least three more times in the minors before the Jays activate him.
Tue, May 12, 2009 02:51:00 AM
B.J. Ryan - R - Cubs

B.J. Ryan (trapezius) and Ricky Romero (oblique) will head to Florida this week as part of their rehab.

Ryan will pitch twice in Class-A Dunedin before moving to Double-A New Hampshire next week, manager Cito Gaston said. Romero will start Friday in Dunedin and once again next week and then will be re-evaluated, according to GM J.P. Ricciardi.
Related: Ricky Romero
Source: Associated Press
Mon, May 4, 2009 09:45:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Willson Contreras
2Alex Avila
3Rene Rivera
1B1Anthony Rizzo
2B1Ben Zobrist
2Javier Baez
SS1Addison Russell
3B1Kris Bryant
2Tommy La Stella
LF1Kyle Schwarber
2Ian Happ
CF1Albert Almora
2Jon Jay
RF1Jason Heyward
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Jon Lester
2Jose Quintana
3Jake Arrieta
4Kyle Hendricks
5John Lackey
6Mike Montgomery
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Wade Davis
2Carl Edwards Jr.
3Justin Wilson
4Pedro Strop
5Hector Rondon
6Koji Uehara
7Brian Duensing
8Justin Grimm
9Felix Pena