Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitchers Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu each threw a bullpen session on Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. Both pitchers threw the rough equivalent of multiple innings.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts estimated that was 50-60 pitches for McCarthy, and 40-45 pitches for Ryu. “It was their complete mix, and Mac was throwing the cutter as well,” Roberts said. “The next step is another bullpen for Ryu and then he’ll face some hitters.”
Ryu’s recovery from last year’s surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder has stalled on multiple occasions. His most recent setback was a mild groin strain that forced the southpaw to skip a scheduled bullpen session.
Between the two, McCarthy figures to return at the later date — he’s previously stated a goal is to make on or two starts before the 2016 All-Star Game. Saturday’s bullpen session was the second of the week for McCarthy.
“Brandon was good [Saturday]. I saw him on Tuesday and he was OK,” Roberts said. “This time the ball was coming out better for me. The two-seamer, changeup and breaking ball was good. He’s repeating mechanics and building up arm strength.”
Not to be overshadowed, Roberts was also encouraged by Ryu’s bullpen. “Watching Ryu as well, it was similar. Good stuff,” Roberts said. “It’s fun watching him repeat, spin the breaking ball, throw the change and fastball.”
Roberts acknowledged his excitement level grows as the pitchers make progress in their respective recoveries, though cautioned it needs to be tempered. “You try not to get too far ahead of yourself,” he said. “But to see these guys on the mound and talking hitters, it’s something to look forward to.”
McCarthy and Ryu both reported feeling fine on Sunday, Roberts said, and they’ll likely throw another bullpen session on Wednesday. The duo is also on track to return at the same time. “I think they’re going to be within a week of each other,” Roberts said. “They’re both tracking very similarly.”
McCarthy was 3-0 with a 5.87 ERA, 6.22 FIP, 1.22 WHIP and averaging 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery. Ryu is 28-15 with a 3.17 ERA, 2.97 FIP and 1.19 WHIP in 56 starts with the Dodgers.
