Dodgers Rumors: Who is Most Likely to Make the Rotation

Brandon McCarthy / Hyun-Jin Ryu – 50%

I think the real battle for the Dodgers rotation will be between the two injury sick pitchers Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu. While there is a chance that both men do make the rotation, I believe at this point it is a 50/50 toss up between the two.

Ryu and McCarthy have both struggled with injury in their time with the Dodgers. After signing a four-year, $48 million contract with the Dodgers in 2014, McCarthy has not lived up to the price tag. McCarthy has made a combined 13 starts with the Dodgers the last two seasons, and quite frankly they weren’t great.

McCarthy owns a 5.29 ERA in those starts made with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and here in spring, he has pitched to a 5.19 ERA.

Ryu, on the other hand, has only pitched 4.2 innings in the last two seasons for the Dodgers. Before that he was fantastic, holding a career 3.28 ERA and a 28-16 record, if it was not for injury Ryu very well could be an all-star. He seems to be very healthy heading into 2017, only allowing one run in five innings with six strikeouts this spring.

This makes the race for that rotation spot a near 50/50 toss up. The Dodgers may want to start with Brandon McCarthy in the rotation, although he has been injured not to the extent of Ryu. However, Ryu is arguably a considerably better pitcher than McCarthy, so the Dodgers may as well take their risks. Regardless of who they pick, it is a 50/50 toss up between the two.