Through the early stages of Spring Training, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts surmised the team would have a clear picture on who would take the final bench spots and fill out the remainder of their starting rotation by mid-March.
In terms of the rotation, camp opened with Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Brock Stewart, Ross Stripling, Julio Urias and Alex Wood all part of the discussion for the two available spots. Both due to injuries and performance, the Dodgers’ number of options reduced themselves.
Heading into Monday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, it was believed McCarthy, Ryu and Wood were battling for two spots. After another disappointing outing, Kazmir is earmarked to begin the season on the disabled list.
Following Ryu’s last true start of the spring, Roberts announced the southpaw has earned a spot in the Opening Day rotation, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Ryu one of five starters, Roberts said.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 27, 2017
Ryu went the scheduled five innings on Monday, allowing three runs on five hits, including a pair of homers. He added five strikeouts and didn’t walk any. Aside from the home runs, the outing was on par with Ryu’s performance.
Prior to facing the White Sox, he allowed just one run over nine innings through three starts. Ryu is scheduled to pitch again Saturday, but it will be an abridged outing against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Roberts did not provide specifics on whether Ryu will slot in as the fourth or fifth starter. Los Angeles currently aligns their rotation as Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda and Rich Hill. Kershaw and Hill were pitching back-to-back until the club made a change two weeks ago.
