Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu enjoyed his finest start of the spring on Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Camelback Ranch.
Over five innings, he allowed just five hits and one earned run against the Angels’ potential everyday starting lineup that included the likes of Ian Kinsler, Mike Trout and Justin Upton. For Ryu, it was his longest outing of the year.
Moreover, it was the first time he surpassed the four-inning threshold during Cactus League play. After the outing, Ryu was encouraged with his start and said he feels healthier than ever before, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“I feel I’m getting stronger each day,” Ryu said through an interpreter. “It’s been a while since I felt this way in Spring Training. I feel healthy, I feel I have my arm strength. It’s a good feeling.”
Last season, Ryu logged over 100 innings for the first time since 2014. That he feels his healthiest in years entering Opening Day is a welcome boost to the starting rotation.
Thus far in Spring Training, he owns an 8.44 ERA and 1.78 WHIP across 10.2 innings (three starts). Those numbers are a bit skewed, however, as Ryu struggled in his previous two starts.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is expecting significant contributions from the 30-year-old this season. He stated earlier in camp that a healthy offseason will lead to a “big year” from Ryu.
