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Dodgers News: First Opening Day Start ‘Definitely Special’ For Hyun-Jin Ryu

Matthew Moreno
2 Min Read
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

While the Los Angeles Dodgers intended for Clayton Kershaw to start Opening Day, the likelihood of it becoming a reality began to fade as he remained on the mend from shoulder inflammation.

The next likely candidate appeared to be Walker Buehler, but he too lagged behind other starters in his progression during Spring Training. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts ultimately ruled out Kershaw and Buehler, naming Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu as the options.

Although Hill may have been a perceived favorite, he was removed from the picture Friday morning because of a left knee sprain. So the nod went to Ryu, who will make the first MLB Opening Day start of his career.

The moment is one Ryu is appreciative of but not something that had been on his mind, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com

“It’s definitely special, my first time in an Opening Day since I got to the States,” said Ryu, who started “four or five” Opening Days in Korea. “I wasn’t really thinking about it, nor was it my priority. My goal was to build up my pitch count and innings to be ready for the season. That wasn’t on my radar.”

For the Dodgers, this season will mark the first time someone other than Kershaw starts on Opening Day since Vicente Padilla in 2010. Ryu is the first lefty other than Kershaw to start Opening Day since Fernando Valenzuela in 1988.

Ryu put together a stellar spring, pitching to a 3.00 ERA while recording 12 strikeouts in 15 innings over five Cactus League starts. He sported a 3.75 ERA in three starts against the Diamondbacks last season, though didn’t factor into any of the decisions.

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