Dodgers Spring Training: Kershaw, Ryu On The Mend; Bedard To Get MRI
UPDATE (March 22, 4:15 p.m. PT): Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said after Sunday’s game Hyun-Jin Ryu didn’t respond well to playing catch and he’s returning to Los Angeles for further examination.
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Pitching was a point of emphasis for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the offseason that was addressed with the signings of Brett Anderson and Brandon McCarthy, trades for Mike Bolsinger and Juan Nicasio, and other acquisitions.
Once the dust settled, the Dodgers had more than a lion’s share of pitchers in camp, though injuries slowly began to diminish some of the stockpile. Not a new face but important nonetheless, Hyun-Jin Ryu has already battled mid-back tightness and shoulder inflammation.
Ryu received an anti-inflammatory injection last week, which shut him down and led to talk of the possibility he would begin the season on the disabled list. While that may still be in question, MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick reports he will resume throwing Sunday:
Ryu resumes throwing today.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 22, 2015
Clayton Kershaw was fortunate to walk away from being hit by a comebacker with only soreness and needing some dental work. He also is back on schedule and will start Thursday as a result of the Dodgers using an off-day Tuesday to realign the rotation:
Kershaw is back on regular routine after taking light day Saturday. He will start Thursday.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 22, 2015
One day removed from leaving his start in the third inning due to feeling a tweak in his biceps, all appears to be well for Chad Gaudin, via Eric Stephen of True Blue LA:
Chad Gaudin felt normal today, will play catch today, bullpen session tomorrow
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) March 22, 2015
While there was positive news on Gaudin, Erik Bedard, who had his start on Friday cut short, isn’t as fortunate:
Bedard will have MRI on latvstrain tomorrow.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 22, 2015
Bedard and Gaudin are both signed to Minor League deals, but they could serve a key role should health become an issue for the Dodgers’ starting rotation. Ryu twice dealt with shoulder inflammation last season, and Anderson and McCarthy have struggled to avoid the disabled list in seasons past.
If Ryu begins the year on the DL, the Dodgers wouldn’t need a fifth starter until April 14 and not again until April 25. In the event that’s the case, Bedard and Gaudin figure to be among the pitchers considered for a spot-start should they be healthy.
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Paco Rodriguez Working On Improving Mechanics
