The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to call up Brock Stewart on Wednesday in what will cap off an impressive rise this season. In doing so, Stewart will become the ninth starter used by the Dodgers in 2016, and fourth to make his Major League debut.
However, the shuffling at the back of the Dodgers’ starting rotation may soon be coming to an end. If all continues to go well, it’s plausible Brandon McCarthy and/or Hyun-Jin Ryu will rejoin the club prior to the All-Star break.
McCarthy started for High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Monday in what was the fourth outing of his rehab assignment. Ryu is slated to take the mound Tuesday for Triple-A Oklahoma City in his fourth rehab start since his clock was reset in late May.
While the two have endured some bumps along the way, their results aren’t the focal point. Specifically for Ryu, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is looking for improved command Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“The command needs to be cleaned up obviously and get better, but for us, it’s how it comes out.”
Roberts previously remarked he wants Ryu to prove he’s able to remain healthy, because of the multiple setbacks in his recovery, prior to a decision being made to activate the 29 year old from the 60-day disabled list.
Since restarting his rehab assignments this month, Ryu has thrown a combined 143 pitches over 11 innings and allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on 17 hits, including two home runs. Entering Tuesday, he’s twice started for the Quakes and once with Oklahoma City.
Ryu was hit hard in his last outing, a home start with Oklahoma City, allowing eight runs on 11 hits (two homers) over four innings. His velocity in the start was said to be 90 mph.
