The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Hyun-Jin Ryu underwent an arthroscopic left elbow debridement, performed by Dr. ElAttrache, on Wednesday to clear out damaged tissue. Ryu is expected to be ready for next season. The procedure is identical to the operation Alex Wood had in July.
He was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list exactly two months after the surgery. After returning in July from last season’s surgery to repair the torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, Ryu managed to make just one start.
Ryu allowed six runs on eight hits over 4.2 innings, showing some flashes of his 2014 form but also expected signs of fatigue and rust. The southpaw was encouraged by the absence of pain after his 2016 debut.
However, Ryu failed to make his next scheduled start due to elbow tendinitis. The Dodgers placed him back on the 15-day disabled list within the week after the All-Star break, and transferred Ryu to the 60-day DL on Aug. 1.
While that seemed to effectively end his season, there was talk in August that Ryu would pitch again this season. Though, that was primarily sparked by Ryu’s desire to contribute.
He recently threw a simulated game at Dodger Stadium, which Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said was a positive step forward for 2017. While the club expects Ryu to make a full recovery by next season, the same was said for 2016 when he missed all of last year due to shoulder surgery.
Ryu has now made just one start during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. From 2013-14, he went a combined 28-15 with a 3.17 ERA over 56 starts. The 26-year-old is signed through the 2018 season.
