As expected, the Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Hyun-Jin Ryu from the 10-day injured list on Sunday. Casey Sadler was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as the corresponding move to adding Ryu back onto the active roster.
He returns from neck stiffness to start in the series finale against Arizona Diamondbacks. The one turn in the rotation that Ryu missed was filled by Tony Gonsolin, who was subsequently sent back to Oklahoma City when Caleb Ferguson was recalled.
Ryu expressed minimal concern upon being forced to the injured list because of the neck trouble. Unlike with Ross Stripling, the issue remained localized in his neck.
“The team asked me to take a look at it with the doctor, and he told me how having this kind of discomfort might affect my mechanics, so I thought it was a good time take a break,” Ryu said last week. “I don’t think it’s something that’s too serious.”
Ryu has twice been on the IL (groin strain in April) in what otherwise has been a remarkable season. He’s 11-2 with an MLB-best 1.66 ERA, to go along with a 0.94 WHIP in 21 starts. Though if there was one area of drop off, it could be found in putting runners on base.
Ryu issued just five walks in 93 innings pitched in his first 14 starts this season, but followed that by walking 11 batters in 42.2 innings over his last seven outings. Included in the stretch was twice issuing a season-high three walks.
Sadler joined the Dodgers via trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on July 3. He has appeared in nine games for the club thus far, allowing just one run over 12.1 innings pitched (0.73 ERA).
Including time with the Rays, Sadler has pitched to a 1.42 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 18 games. Because of being up with the Dodgers, Sadler has only appeared in two games for Oklahoma City, including one start.
The right-hander allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings during those appearances.
