Dodgers Spring Training: Ryu Suffering From Mid-Back Tightness

As is the case across MLB, healthy is paramount to a team’s success. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, that’s particularly true of their starting rotation, which has five starters who either have checkered medical pasts or are coming off a season in which they suffered some form of injury.
Hyun-Jin Ryu was twice placed on the disabled list and shutdown for a third time in 2014 and spoke of wanting to remain healthy in 2015 and pitch 200 innings. While he began preparing for Spring Training in January, Ryu already is at less than 100 percent with mid-back tightness, according to Eric Stephen of True Blue LA:
Hyun-jin Ryu out today with mid-back tightness
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) February 25, 2015
Ryu was among the pitchers who threw a bullpen session Monday and his situation isn’t believed to be serious. Last season, he was first placed on the disabled list in May with shoulder inflammation that like Clayton Kershaw, was an injury connected to the Dodgers’ beginning the season in Australia.
Ryu was then placed on the disabled list in August with a right hip strain and was shutdown for the regular season in September after managing to throw just one inning in a Sept. 12 loss. The injuries limited the left-hander to just 26 starts and 152.0 innings pitched, though he still managed to win 14 games — matching the total from his rookie season.
The first week of Spring Training hasn’t been smooth sailing for Dodger pitchers as Zack Greinke is behind schedule after receiving a lubricating injection in his right elbow, Joel Peralta felt discomfort in his throwing shoulder, and Kenley Jansen underwent foot surgery before camp opened.
[divide]Yasmani Grandal Discusses Trade, Health Of His Knee