With Mike Bolsinger already back in the mix, the Los Angeles Dodgers have several pitchers who are completing their respective rehab assignment. Carlos Frias joined Triple-A Oklahoma City after two starts, Frankie Montas joined Double-A Tulsa, and Hyun-Jin Ryu took the mound Friday night at LoanMart Field for a second rehab start with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.
He allowed one hit and had a pair of strikeouts over two innings in his debut, throwing at 60 to 70 percent. Ryu followed that by tossing three innings a second time out, allowing two home runs and three runs (one earned).
His fastball hovered around the same 87 mph it did in his first rehab assignment, which is lower than the low-to-mid 90s he averaged on the pitch over two seasons with the Dodgers.
That’s largely to be expected as he builds up arm strength after going more than one year between starts. Prior to Ryu’s May 15 outing, he last pitched in a Cactus League game on March 17, 2015.
With the rehab process taking precedent over the results, Ryu had a positive outlook after his second start, via Ron Cervenka of Think Blue LA:
“Overall I felt great. It’s more of building up my pitching count,” Ryu said through an interpreter. “I felt more confident than last time. It was great, I had a good time.”
Ryu added his arsenal of pitches will improve as he makes more rehab starts:
“I pitched two games so far and my curveball and other pitches are coming along. As the time goes on it’s going to get better,” said Ryu. “As far as the velocity and all, it’s going to come along.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated the southpaw was likely to make four or five rehab starts before being activated from the disabled list. It’s not yet clear where Ryu will conclude his slate of starts.
