Dodgers Injury Update: Ryu’s Recovery Slowly Progressing

[new_royalslider id=”14″] UPDATE (Sept. 24, 5:25 p.m.): According to Michael Lanaana of MLB.com, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Hyun-Jin Ryu may throw off a mound in the coming days:

Mattingly says Ryu will likely throw off a mound within a day or two.

— Michael Lananna (@mlananna) September 24, 2014

[divide] With Tuesday’s win, the Los Angeles Dodgers can clinch the National League West title by defeating the San Francisco Giants Wednesday night. Through the first two games in the series, the Dodgers received strong outings from Dan Haren and Zack Greinke, and now send Clayton Kershaw to the mound.

In the weeks leading up to the three-game series, manager Don Mattingly didn’t necessarily envision Haren taking the ball in the first game. Mattingly had again aligned his starting rotation so Hyun-Jin Ryu, Greinke and Kershaw would take the ball.

Ryu’s injury caused a minor change in the plan and while the Dodgers are zeroing in on a division title, Ryu remained sidelined. He received a cortisone shot and underwent an MRI before joining the team in Chicago.

The left-hander began a sub-maximal throwing program during the road trip and though he hasn’t suffered any setbacks, Ryu hasn’t thrown from a mound and Mattingly said he’s unaware of what’s to follow in the recovery, via Steve Dilbeck of the LA Times:

He’s still throwing, still moving forward,” Mattingly said. “Hasn’t had any setbacks, so still going. Still playing catch at this point, no mounds. I haven’t heard anything more about pushing him any further other than increase distance and increase velocity.”

After Wednesday, the Dodgers have just three games remaining on their regular-season schedule. When Ryu was initially injured, he compared it to the inflammation he dealt with earlier in the season, which was an issue that caused him to miss 23 days.

A similar timetable would have Ryu ready to pitch for Game 3 of the NLDS, assuming the Dodgers are crowned NL West champions. Mattingly previously stated Ryu’s return wouldn’t be rushed and added he felt comfortable sending him to the mound in a playoff game as his first action back.