All pitchers but one of the pitchers involved in the competition for the remaining two spots in the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation have seen action this spring. In the case of Brock Stewart, Ross Stripling and Alex Wood, their appearances have been in relief.
Meanwhile, Hyun-Jin Ryu has yet to take the mound in a Cactus League game this year. The southpaw has thrown multiple bullpen sessions and faced live hitters as he attempts to work his way back from last September’s elbow surgery.
On the heels of facing Yasiel Puig, Trayce Thompson and other hitters on a backfield at Camelback Ranch, Ryu is now slated to make his spring debut, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Ryu will next pitch in a game after yesterday's sim game.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 5, 2017
Should the Dodgers elect to keep their current rotation, Scott Kazmir would start Monday, Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday, and Rich Hill on Wednesday. On Thursday, the Dodgers have their first off-day since Cactus League play began.
The Dodgers have maintained a cautious optimism with Ryu this year. He was under consideration to start March 1 against the San Francisco Giants, though that went to Kazmir instead. Following the decision, Ryu was said to be suffering from tightness in his adductor muscle.
The 29-year-old eased any concern by throwing a bullpen session and the more-recent simulated game. While a similar situation unfolded last spring, only for Ryu to begin the season on the disabled list, he’s more confident in his health this year.
