Hyun-Jin Ryu looks healthy in first Spring outing
By Evan Lovett
The Dodgers will almost certainly downplay the importance of Hyun-Jin Ryu’s return to the mound this weekend at Camelback Ranch, though it was undeniably a success.
Ryu, who missed the entirety of 2015 and all but one start of 2016, is back.
Los Angeles is being very deliberate with the left-handed starting pitcher this spring, as manager Dave Roberts attributes the depth of the staff as the reason.
The start on Saturday versus the Angels was Ryu’s first of the Spring, and he performed capably, allowing only one hit in his two innings while striking out two in his seven batters faced. Ryu was an important cog in the 2013 and 2014 Dodgers. He started 30 and 26 games respectively, but gave the Dodgers false hope in the spring of 2016.
So the club is not holding its collective breath.
#Dodgers see Ryu as wild card for rotation. Like what they've seen, but got excited few times last yr only to be letdown, so being cautious
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 12, 2017
When Ryu is healthy, he is effective. He placed fourth in National League rookie of the year balloting in 2013 and held a 3.38 ERA in 2014.
Unfortunately for the club, he began the 2015 season on the disabled list with shoulder discomfort and eventually had surgery in attempt to rectify the issue.
Two years of frustration, delays and false starts later, Ryu was back on the mound. Ryu’s velocity was in the 87-91 mph range. A tick down from where he was in 2013 and 2014 but not abnormal for this point in the spring.
With a pitcher of his repertoire, velocity is not the ultimate indicator of success.
Ryu is a notorious command-oriented pitcher, having notched a 4.79 K/BB ratio during his last full season in 2014.
Fortunately, depth will allow Roberts and the front office to be patient with Ryu.
After Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw and crafty left-hander Rich Hill, the club looks to feature stalwart Kenta Maeda and untouchable youngster Julio Arias to round out one of the strongest top four starters in the sport.
From there, veterans Brandon McCarthy, Alex Wood and Scott Kazmir are challenging young upstarts Brock Stewart and Ross Stripling for the fifth spot. Though a six-man rotation may make sense logistically, Roberts has already naysayed the possibility.
Next: UCLA Gears Up For Kent State
Ryu is likely having his second spring training start some point later this week.