TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays have finally run out of patience with B.J. Ryan.
The Jays released the struggling left-hander Wednesday after he laboured through the majority of the season, losing his job as closer and eventually landing on the disabled list.
Ryan was 1-1 with a 6.53 ERA and two saves in 20 2-3 innings this season, with 13 strikeouts and 17 walks.
The 33-year-old signed a $47-million, five-year contract prior to the 2006 season, and he rewarded the Blue Jays with 38 saves and a 1.37 earned-run average in his first season with the team.
Ryan underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow early in the 2007 season, and was never the same pitcher. Though he recorded 32 saves last season, his ERA jumped to 2.95.
The Blue Jays activated reliever Scott Downs to take Ryan's spot on the roster. Downs had been on the disabled list since June 18 with a sprained toe.
