Hyun-Jin Ryu took the loss in his first start of the regular season and the Los Angeles Dodgers were held in check at Coors Field, but Friday’s game against the Colorado Rockies can otherwise be viewed as a success.
Ryu’s start with the Dodgers was just his second since 2014. He missed all of 2015 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, then made one start last season before landing back on the disabled list and eventually losing another season to elbow surgery.
Ryu’s outing was an extension, if not an improvement on what was seen during Spring Training. He mixed pitches well and worked out of trouble on multiple occasions. However, the left-hander was disappointed by failing to complete five innings, via SportsNet LA:
“In general, the fact that I gave up a home run and the fact that I couldn’t get through at least five innings were kind of disappointing. Not being able to control my pitch count early also affected my game.”
The home run Ryu allowed came on a first-pitch fastball to Dustin Garneau to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning. Garneau’s solo shot hit the foul pole in left field, and proved to be the difference in the Rockies’ 2-1 victory.
Ryu stretched out during the spring in one-inning increments, beginning with two frames in his debut back on March 11. He went five innings against the Chicago White Sox in a final Cactus League start on March 27.
The left-hander was scheduled to piggyback Brandon McCarthy in the finale of the exhibition Freeway Series but instead threw a simulated game.
Although Ryu was somewhat dispirited with his outing, the fact that his velocity held throughout the start was an encouraging sign. His ability to remain healthy and pitch well is of more importance to the Dodgers now that Rich Hill will miss at least one start while on the disabled list because of a blister on his middle left finger.
