UPDATE (Jan. 16, 4:00 p.m.): After throwing from a mound on Thursday for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, Hyun-Jin Ryu shared on Instagram he was on the mound for a second time on Saturday:
While the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation appears to have more depth than in years past, it’s not without some question marks.
Most notably is Hyun-Jin Ryu, who missed all of last season after undergoing surgery in May to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Ryu battled the shoulder trouble during Spring Training last year and managed to make just two starts in Cactus League play.
He was diagnosed with an impingement and inflammation, and began the season on the disabled list. The decision to undergo surgery came after weeks of little-to-no improvement reported by the club.
Having returned to the United States on Monday, Ryu is in Arizona one month earlier than Dodgers pitchers and catchers are expected to report to Camelback Ranch.
The South Korean native took a significant step in his recovery on Thursday, throwing off a mound for the first time since the shoulder surgery. The image below, as well as others, were captured by Daum Sports:
Prior to boarding a plane bound for the U.S., Ryu said he is not rushing the recovery process but hopes to pitch during Spring Training.
In two seasons with the Dodgers, the southpaw is a combined 28-15 with a 3.17 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 56 starts. He battled shoulder fatigue in 2014, which can be traced to the torn labrum Ryu had at the time of signing a six-year, $36 million contract the Dodgers in December 2012.
It wasn’t until after last May’s operation that it was publicly revealed the Dodgers were aware of the labrum tear at the time of adding Ryu to the organization.
