After undergoing shoulder surgery that cost him the entire 2015 season, Hyun-Jin Ryu was expected to be part of the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation come Opening Day in 2016. However, Ryu suffered setbacks during Spring Training, and his return was delayed.
The southpaw made his 2016 debut on July 7. Ryu battled some expected rust and fatigue as the game wore on. He allowed six runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings and suffered the loss to the San Diego Padres.
The 29-year-old was generally pleased with the outing and his health. However, that quickly turned as Ryu was diagnosed with elbow tendinitis, scratched from his next start and placed on the 15-day disabled list July 19 (retroactive to July 9).
He was later transferred to the 60-day DL to create room of the 40-man roster for the acquisition of Josh Fields.
That effectively ended Ryu’s season, though held a small glimmer of hope of still contributing this year. He threw 25 pitches during a simulated inning at Dodger Stadium this week. Like Brandon McCarthy, Ryu faced Austin Barnes and Micah Johnson, among others.
However, unlike McCarthy, Ryu’s work is geared toward next season. “With Ryu, the target or goal is to continue to build up his pitch count and to show he can sustain some type of velocity. More for us and Ryu, is to go into the offseason feeling like he’s on his way back,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“The odds to foresee him on a postseason roster, I don’t see it happening. But I think for him to get back and pitch a simulated inning is a win for all of us.” Fellow left-hander Alex Wood was reinstated from the disabled list after missing time with an elbow injury.
Wood for the remainder of the season and any potential postseason games will serve as a relief pitcher. That same consideration wasn’t given to Ryu. “For where he’s at right now, the quick get hot, get in the game, I don’t see happening,” Roberts explained.
