Blue Jays' Ryu scheduled to make next start, Romano nearing return

The Toronto Blue Jays got some good injury news Thursday, as starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu is on track to make his next start Sunday against the Chicago Cubs.

Ryu left his start Monday against the Cleveland Guardians after taking a comebacker off the inside of his right knee. The team announced he left with a right knee contusion.

Manager John Schneider said Thursday that Ryu's swelling had gone down. The veteran left-hander will throw a side session on Friday and then start Sunday if the session goes well.

X-rays on Ryu's knee were negative. He was making just his second start after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year.

Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt will start the first two games of the Cubs series.

In other Blue Jays news, closer Jordan Romano threw a 33-pitch bullpen session in Toronto on Wednesday. Schneider said the team is discussing whether Romano will need to pitch a minor-league rehab outing before returning to the bullpen. The all-star right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list with lower back inflammation on July 29. He is eligible to be activated Saturday.

Star shortstop Bo Bichette, however, appears to be a bit further away from a return. While he has been taking swings and jogging at Rogers Centre this week, Bichette will need to dial up the intensity and run the bases before he can be activated from the injured list. Bichette injured his right knee running bases on July 31 but the Blue Jays said an MRI revealed he had no significant structural damage, just some inflammation.

Toronto wraps up its series with the Cleveland Guardians Thursday afternoon and you can watch all the action live on Sportsnet at 1:10 p.m. ET / 10:10 a.m. PT.

-- With files from The Canadian Press