The Los Angeles Dodgers’ hot start to the season came to a screeching halt on Monday night when they dropped their series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-3.
More importantly that the loss though, the Dodgers lost starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu to injury as he was removed in the second inning and later diagnosed with a left groin strain.
The injury is obviously a big concern for the Dodgers considering Ryu missed 91 games in 2018 due to a torn groin. Ryu said he does not believe the severity of this injury is anywhere close to last year’s and was hopeful he would be able to make his next start.
It appears that will not be the case, however, as while Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is also optimistic that the injury is not that serious, he said Ryu will be placed on the 10-day injured list so they can get another arm in to reinforce their taxed bullpen, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“I think the positive right there, in talking to Hyun-Jin and the training staff, it’s certainly not near what it was last year; in the belly, that kind of groin area, same side. I think we’ll know more with some testing, a night’s sleep and how he responds [Tuesday]. How stiff it is, how his body responds to treatment. Obviously, it’s an IL situation, but for how long, that’s to be determined. … Where we’re at right now with the ‘pen, we just don’t have that luxury to carry a guy who’s not going to pitch for another four days. Something needs to happen.”
Even if it is just for the minimum 10 days, going on the injured list is definitely the best thing for Ryu so he can get 100% healthy and not have a reoccurring groin issue.
Julio Urias would likely be the primary candidate to take Ryu’s spot in the starting rotation while he is out. Urias was originally scheduled to move back to the bullpen after his next start with Clayton Kershaw due back from injury.
