With Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill both beginning the season on the 10-day injured list, the depth of the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation figured to be tested early on. Particularly with Walker Buehler not at 100% after a slow Spring Training.
In stepped Hyun-Jin Ryu, who received the start on Opening Day, somewhat as a result of a process of elimination. Ryu proved to be a strong successor to Kershaw, holding the Arizona Diamondbacks to just one run while recording eight strikeouts in six innings.
Ryu followed that seven strong innings against the San Francisco Giants to improve to 2-0 this season. But rather than continue to build on his impressive outings against the St. Louis Cardinals, Ryu’s third start last all of five outs.
He was checked on by a trainer after throwing a pitch in the second inning and after a brief conversation, removed from the game. There weren’t any clear signs of trouble, though Ryu often fell behind in counts and labored early.
According to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA, Ryu suffered a strain of the same groin he tore last season:
.@HyunJinRyu99 left the game with a left groin strain. #Dodgers
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) April 9, 2019
Ryu exited having allowed a two-run home run, and with one walk and strikeout. Ryu missed over three months last season due to the severe groin strain. He returned to the Dodgers this season by accepting the one-year, $17.9 million qualifying offer.
If Ryu is to miss any time, it potentially could bode well for Julio Urias. He’s due to start Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers and at that point was going to get bumped out of the rotation with Kershaw’s forthcoming return.
