fbpx

Dodgers News: Hyun-Jin Ryu ‘Not Too Concerned’ Over Potential Role

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Keith Srakocic-AP Photo

One way or another the Los Angeles Dodgers have successfully juggled a surplus of starting pitchers this season. Creativity, injuries, subpar performance and extensive use of the 10-day disabled list have combined to provide solutions for the logjam.

Hyun-Jin Ryu has both spent time on the DL and lost his starting job at various stretches. However, since making his first career relief appearance, which resulted in a three-inning save, the left-hander has been a mainstay in the rotation.

On Thursday, Ryu held the Pittsburgh Pirates to just one run on four hits over six innings. His form at times has resembled that of pre-shoulder surgery that essentially cost the 30-year-old the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

While Ryu has found his footing, the Dodgers’ search for a dependable lefty did not come to an end with the deadline trades for Tony Cingrani and Tony Watson.

As for the prospect he could fill that role come the playoffs, Ryu declined to entertain the possibility in favor of remaining focused on the more immediate future, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:

“Right now, I’m not too concerned,” Ryu said. “I’m just concerned about my next outing. As a starting pitcher, if I can put my team in a position to win, I believe I’m doing my job. [Joining the bullpen is] not what I can control. That’s not a decision I have to make.”

Ryu has allowed two earned runs or less in eight of his last nine starts, yielding a 2.13 ERA and 1.22 WHIP during that span. Included in that are back-to-back starts that were part of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball telecasts, in which he tossed seven shutout innings both times.

Overall this season, Ryu is 5-6 with a 3.34 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 20 games (19 starts). While Ryu’s stretch of success figures to keep him in the rotation over the next six weeks, he’s unlikely to be one of the Dodgers’ four starters come October.

That of course could change, particularly if Alex Wood continues to be dogged by left SC joint inflammation that’s forced him to the disabled list for a second time this season.

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com