The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation received a major reinforcement this week in the form of longtime ace Clayton Kershaw, who logged seven strong innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Jackie Robinson Day.
The club’s starting corps will further be bolstered this weekend when fellow left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu returns from the 10-day injured list for a start against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
Ryu is making his way back from a left groin strain sustained in his most recent outing against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 8. He was limited to just 1.2 innings of work before being pulled by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Ryu has since thrown from flat ground and recently took part in an aggressive bullpen session that was deemed successful. Having not experienced any setbacks over the past week and a half, Roberts determined that a Minor League rehab assignment wouldn’t be necessary for Ryu.
Roberts came to this conclusion with Ryu’s best interests in mind, wanting to get him back on the mound as soon as possible to avoid becoming potentially rusty, via SportsNet LA:
“Where Hyun-Jin was at, there’s a balance between getting him back in there where he’s sharp after throwing his 40-pitch ‘pen versus staying away from him too long where he gets rusty. So we just felt that taking everything into account, getting him on Saturday, giving Clayton an extra day, just made the most sense for that point in time and also going forward.”
Ryu’s imminent return not only boosts the Dodgers starting rotation, but it comes with a positive domino effect as well. As Roberts notes, Kershaw will be pushed back to Sunday’s finale against the Brewers on an extra day of rest, which should prove beneficial for both sides.
Ryu looks to pick up where he left off earlier in the season. In three starts thus far, he is 2-0 with a 3.07 ERA, 4.02 FIP and 0.89 WHIP over 14.2 innings of work.
