Dodgers Rumors: Ranking Each Starting Pitcher’s April Performance

4. Hyun-Jin Ryu

April Stats: 1-4, 26.7 IP, 4.05 ERA, 29 K’s

Let’s face it; it has been a very long time since we have seen Hyun-Jin Ryu on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sure, in 2016 he did take the mound throwing only 4.2 innings, but the last time that we have seen him consistently pitch was 2014. Being out for two entire season due to several injuries will certainly have an effect on the quality of pitching, and it did.

Hyun-Jin Ryu showed his signs of rust in his first three starts of the year. Granted, it was against three great offensive teams – two against the Rockies and one against the Cubs, but it was bad nonetheless. In those three affairs, Ryu threw 15.1 innings, with two of which being 4.2 inning outings, allowing ten earned runs.

This was good enough for a 5.87 ERA and a 0-3 record. However, Ryu’s next two starts were very promising and may be a sign that the rust is starting to wear off. On April 24th he squared off against the Giants. Although he lost, he threw six innings only allowing one earned run.

Then, in the last game of April, Ryu picked up his first victory after throwing 5.1 innings, while allowing one run and striking out nine. The rust may be wearing off for Ryu, and he was masterful in these two games. That is what gives him the edge over Maeda.