In similar fashion to last season the Los Angeles Dodgers have juggled starting pitchers in and out of their rotation. This year that’s primarily boiled down to alternating between Kenta Maeda and Hyun-Jin Ryu, dependent on performance and health.
Ryu appeared to be on his way to solidifying a spot in the rotation when he was struck on his left foot by a line drive during a June 28 start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Ryu underwent X-rays and additional testing, both of which came back negative.
There nonetheless was residual pain and swelling, and the Dodgers put the left-hander on the 10-day disabled list on July 4. The All-Star break provided the club with an opportunity to move along just fine without Ryu.
He’s on the verge of returning, however, as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ryu will start against the Minnesota Twins on Monday, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
As for starting pitching, Roberts has a surplus after Hyun-Jin Ryu threw an effective four-inning simulated game on Wednesday, earning confirmation of a Monday start against the Twins.
Kershaw was on eight days’ rest when he took the mound Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox. He’s been kept on regular rest more times than not, while the Dodgers provided other starters with an extra day when possible.
In addition to completing one on Wednesday, Ryu threw a simulated game last week at Marlins Park. They essentially took the place of a rehab assignment.
Ryu this season is 3-6 with a 4.21 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 14 games (13 starts). His lone relief appearance resulted in a three-inning save, which was the first save of Ryu’s career.
Whether he’ll remain in the rotation beyond the start next week is not yet certain. Roberts previously indicated the club had not yet arrived at such a decision.
