The Los Angeles Dodgers endured a roller coaster ride last spring with Hyun-Jin Ryu as he battled what were believed to be minor shoulder issues. In reality, Ryu wound up missing the 2015 season after undergoing surgery last May to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.
Ryu said he had the injury at the time of signing a six-year, $36 million contract with the Dodgers in December 2012, and that the club was aware of the tear. At the time of the operation, the Dodgers announced Ryu was expected to make a full recovery by Spring Training.
While the southpaw arrived at Camelback Ranch early a second consecutive year, Ryu has again endured some bumps along the way. He was given extra rest in early March after experiencing shoulder discomfort following a February bullpen session.
He threw a bullpen in mid-March and has made steady progress since. However, Ryu has been ruled out to make a start during Spring Training and isn’t likely to return until June.
After Ryu completed a bullpen session on Saturday at Camelback Ranch, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the 28 year old was expected to receive two or three days before throwing another.
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, that came Tuesday, with Ryu ending the session on a high note:
Hyun-Jin Ryu threw a bullpen session today and finished up with his best velocity since shoulder surgery.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 23, 2016
Ryu was a combined 28-15 with a 3.17 ERA, 2.97 FIP and 1.19 WHIP in 56 starts over his first two seasons with the Dodgers. He was regularly troubled by off-and-on shoulder issues, which of course now can be explained by the torn labrum he pitched with.
Although Ryu hoped to return at some point in May, make 20 starts this season and throw 150 innings, Roberts conceded last week those goals are unrealistic.
