Olney: Trade market for starting pitching expected to be thin

The Toronto Blue could be looking for pitching depth after starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 2 with forearm inflammation.

This is the second time the 35-year-old lefty has been placed on the injured list after he missed 23 games with a similar injury at the beginning of the season.

Ryu’s availability has led to concerns about the Blue Jays’ pitching depth.

“On a scale of one to 10, it’s got to be a 10,” ESPN’s Buster Olney told TSN1050 on Monday about the Blue Jays’ level of concern for Ryu. “The velocity drop, the performance, what they’re telling us, it certainly has all the earmarks of a major injury.”

Right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling has taken Ryu’s spot in the starting rotation. On Monday, the 32-year-old threw five shutout innings with two strikeouts and only gave up one hit in Toronto’s 8-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

However, if the Blue Jays are looking to add to their pitching depth, Olney believes there will be slim pickings in the trade market.

“At this stage, I don’t think there’s a lot of trade talk amongst teams,” said Olney. “There might be some talk about minor-type guys, but what I’m hearing from general managers is that they don’t expect serious conversations will pick up until we get closer to the All-Star Game. [But] generally speaking, the trade market for starting pitching will be relatively thin.”

ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney joins First Up to chat about the Jays' easy stretch on the schedule, concerns about Hyun-Jin Ryu's injury, if the Jays are looking to add a pitcher, Yankees looking like they will run away with the AL East, Mets dominating and more.

One of the pitchers contenders could target is RHP Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia