Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu heads into Spring Training coming off consecutive difficult years marred by injuries. He underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder early in the 2015 season, and has only managed to make one start for the Dodgers since that time.
That came last July and it was not particularly encouraging. Though, Ryu’s rust and struggles were to be expected. Rather than stick in the rotation after the All-Star break, he was back on the disabled list due to elbow tendinitis.
Ryu was later transferred to the 60-day disabled list and eventually underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow in late September. Naturally, there are questions regarding his health.
However, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said that Ryu is expected to participate in Spring Training without any limitations in place:
Friedman said all reports on Ryu have been 'extremely good." He's under no limitations.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 15, 2017
Ryu trained in Japan this offseason and began throwing bullpen sessions in January. The 29-year-old added he he was in better shape than he normally would have been at that point in the offseason.
If Ryu is in fact healthy and can return to his 2013-14 form, the Dodgers will add a quality starter to their rotation. During his first two seasons with the club, Ryu went a combined 28-15 with a 3.17 ERA, 2.97 FIP and 1.19 WHIP, throwing 344 innings and making 56 starts.
Ryu allowed six runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings in his lone start last season. He has two years remaining on the six-year, $36 million contract signed with the Dodgers prior to the 2013 season.
As of now, the only locks in the Dodgers rotation are Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda. Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy, Brock Stewart, Ross Stripling, Alex Wood and to a lesser extent, Julio Urias, are expected to compete this spring for the remaining two spots.
