Shortly after signing Zack Greinke to a longterm deal in December of 2012, the Los Angeles Dodgers further bolstered their starting rotation by inking Hyun-Jin Ryu to a six-year, $36 million contract. That was on top of the Dodgers’ reported $25,737,737.33 bid paid to the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization to win exclusive negotiating rights with Ryu.
The left-hander went on to establish himself as a bonafide third starter for the Dodgers during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Ryu finished fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting, and won 14 games in each of his first two seasons with the club.
However, the past two years have essentially been lost to injury. Ryu missed all of 2015 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, and managed to make just one start for the Dodgers last year.
The 29-year-old reported to 2017 Spring Training in good health, but the same was said last year. Ryu on Tuesday continued to ease any concerns, and after the start said he’s nearly at the level of his rookie season, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“If I get back to my 2013 velocity, I’ll be effective. I feel like I’m actually very close to 2013 form. I feel I’m on a similar pace. If I can get up to six innings, I feel I’ll be ready. I’m not sure if I proved I belong. But I’ve pitched three games and I think I’ve done relatively well so I think I’m on a good pace.”
The four innings Ryu tossed against the Milwaukee Brewers were good for his longest outing of the spring. In three Cactus League starts he’s thrown a combined nine innings, allowed just one run on five hits, issued one walk and has eight strikeouts.
Next is a start, presumably Monday, when Ryu should stretch out to five innings. Despite the strong showings, the Dodgers appear to have settled on Brandon McCarthy and Alex Wood as their fourth and fifth starters, in no particular order, come Opening Day.
But another impressive performance from Ryu could be enough to earn a spot in the rotation.
