While the Los Angeles Dodgers went into the All-Star break with plenty of momentum, what the future held for Hyun-Jin Ryu was unclear. He was struck on the foot by a line drive during a June 28 start and was suffering from lingering pain.
Initial X-rays of Ryu’s foot came back negative, though he was sent for further testing. A bone scan did not uncover any further injury but the Dodgers nonetheless put Ryu on the 10-day disabled list July 4.
Prior to the Dodgers beginning the second half of their schedule with a thrilling comeback victory against the Miami Marlins, Ryu took the mound at Marlins Park for a simulated game.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was encouraged by the result but added the club does not yet have clarity on Ryu’s return, per Glenn Sattell of MLB.com:
“He really looked sharp,” said Roberts, who added that Ryu’s return is still unknown. “I don’t know when we’re going to drop him in, but it’ll be at some point. That’s a conversation that we’re going to have with him and try to see what makes sense for our ballclub.”
Roberts added the Dodgers are not certain if the southpaw would take back his place in the starting rotation or pitch out of the bullpen. What can be ruled out is Ryu starting in any of the remaining four games on the Dodgers’ road trip.
Alex Wood takes the ball Saturday, Rich Hill starts in the series finale, and Clayton Kershaw and Kenta Maeda are slated to face the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Whether Ryu will reclaim a spot in the rotation seemingly boils down to how Maeda fares. The two have largely occupied the same slot, or been bumped to the bullpen, based on performance.
