Dodgers News: Hyun-Jin Ryu Says Is Frustrated, Says No Surgery
The Los Angeles Dodgers sit at 21-10 thus far, and that’s without one start from their projected third starter, Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Ryu began the year on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation, similar to the injury he dealt with twice last season. The left-hander was progressing and was loosely slated for a June return; however, he recently suffered a setback that puts that return date in jeopardy. He’s been shut down from throwing after a steep decrease in velocity during his last bullpen session.
According to Dodgers Nation reporter Matt Moreno, Ryu is continuing to stay upbeat despite the shut down:
It is a little bit frustrating, but I’m thinking positive it won’t be too long.
As with most injuries to pitchers, surgery is the first thing that crosses most minds, but the 28-year-old says that it won’t be necessary at the moment:
According to the MRI, I know for sure it’s not a surgery matter. When the time comes for making a decision for anything like surgery, then I’ll just have to wait and see and make a decision.
After failing to reach 200 innings his first two seasons in the Majors, Ryu had made that his goal for this season. Barring a miracle, the Korean-born pitcher will miss on that mark in 2015. The Dodgers are more concerned with getting Ryu back healthy, however long it takes, as they already lost fourth starter Brandon McCarthy for the year with a torn UCL.
Ryu has won 14 games each of the past two seasons with a combined ERA of 3.17 in 56 starts. He has also thrown well in the postseason, combining for 13 innings and just one earned run in his last two postseason starts. The Dodgers have enough depth for now to handle the Ryu injury; however, they will need him to be considered title contenders.
[divide]Dee Gordon Returns To Dodger Stadium For The First Time