Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Hyun-Jin Ryu’s Velocity Worthy Of Attention, But Not Yet A Concern
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Hyun-Jin Ryu’s Velocity Worthy Of Attention, But Not Yet A Concern

Matthew Moreno
July 8, 2016
4 Min Read
Hyun-jin-ryu-1
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

Some of the feel-good surrounding Hyun-Jin Ryu’s first start for the Los Angeles Dodgers since October 2014 was erased only one batter into Thursday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres.

The majority of Ryu’s first few pitches to leadoff hitter Melvin Upton Jr. were 91 or 90 mph, which was on par with where the southpaw sat throughout his rehab assignment. Ryu reached back and hit 92 on the gun with his sixth pitch but it was all for naught.

Upton Jr. deposited the four-seam fastball into the right-center field pavilion for a solo home run. There were positives; Ryu spun a breaking ball reminiscent of his pre-surgery days, and he threw a 1-2-3 third inning after a shaky second.

“Overall I felt really great even though I gave up the runs,” Ryu said through an interpreter after the Dodgers’ shutout loss. “During the outing my shoulder felt great, I didn’t see any issues.”

He was chased in the fifth inning after the Padres mounted a two-out rally to score three runs. Ryu’s effectiveness and velocity dropped considerably as his pitch count rose. Yangervis Solarte doubled on an 88-mph first-pitch fastball and Alex Dickerson, the final batter Ryu faced, hit an 89-mph fastball for a two-run triple.

“Through four innings the velocity was where it needed to be, 89-91 (mph). I thought he threw a lot of quality pitches,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “That fifth inning, after the two doubles, then the velocity dipped to 85 and 86, I thought he just got a little tired.”

Both Roberts and Ryu downplayed there being any concern with velocity in the first start. “Even from the beginning, I was never a first-half pitcher. I would always come back in the second half with stronger velocity,” Ryu said.

“Compared to when I was healthy, of course my velocity is a little down. But again, as I pitch more games, I think I’ll get that back.” Roberts conceded it will be learning process as Ryu progresses. “Until we can sustain start after start and get some length and continue to increase his pitch count, it’s an unknown,” Roberts said.

“We’ll just keep a watchful eye on it (every start).” A.J. Ellis, whose experience in catching Ryu dates back to 2013, was generally pleased with the performance. “His fastball-changeup were similar to what he is,” Ellis said.

“The breaking ball is a pitch he was developing before he was injured, so it’s going to take some time to get that back If he tightens that slider up we’ll see 2013-14 Hyun-Jin. … What he had to work with [Thursday] was plenty good enough to get a lot of Major-League hitters out. Any increase in velocity would just be a bonus for us.”

All parties involved put more stock on Ryu simply getting through the outing without issue, physically speaking. The next two days will be more telling. “I think the biggest part was getting him back out there,” Roberts said.

“That was a victory in itself. I think the bigger answer will be how he feels [Friday] and the next day going forward.” After pitching with a partial tear in his left shoulder labrum for two seasons, Ryu called the postgame feeling in his throwing shoulder “totally different,” when asked to compare it to previous seasons.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:A.J. EllisDave RobertsHyun-Jin RyuLos Angeles Dodgers
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive 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
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Alex Vesia, 2024 NLDS
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers Playoffs: Alex Vesia Potentially Available For World Series

October 17, 2024
October 18, 2024
Cody Bellinger
FeaturedGame Central

Recap: Dodgers Sweep Diamondbacks To Complete Undefeated Homestand

September 15, 2021
September 15, 2021
Jason Heyward, J.D. Martinez, James Outman
FeaturedGame Central

Recap: Dodgers Blow Out Orioles To Clinch Series Win

July 18, 2023
July 18, 2023
Julio Urías
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Julio Urías Frustrated By Lack Of Consistency

July 20, 2023
July 20, 2023

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어