Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Hyun-Jin Ryu Believes He Can Retake Rotation Spot

Hyun-Jin Ryu has fallen victim to the injury bug over the last two seasons, but he said he’s ready to complete his comeback.

Ryu knows he has to earn a spot in the loaded Dodgers rotation. He is up for that challenge, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.



Certainly, Ryu hasn’t lost his confidence. Recently returning from rehabbing in Japan, Ryu’s fastball hovered around the mid-80s in his first bullpen session.

A healthy Ryu would be a luxury. The Dodgers have Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda and Julio Urias to fill four rotation spots, though Maeda and Urias may face limitations, and Hill has an injury history. Ryu has made just one start in the last two seasons, and left that game with shoulder pain. He’s been slowly recovering from shoulder surgery in May 2015.

[graphiq id=”kXw0IiKFuGF” title=”Hyun-Jin Ryu Career Pitching” width=”600″ height=”375″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/kXw0IiKFuGF” ]

Ryu isn’t necessarily a sunk cost. Even if he doesn’t break into the rotation, he could find his niche as a reliever. When on the mound, Ryu has been a productive player. L.A. will just need to use him in ways best fit for a fragile pitcher.

Clayton Kershaw will starting on Opening Day for the seventh consecutive season

Gabe Burns

Gabe Burns is an award-winning journalist. He serves as a reporter and editor at the DodgersNation news desk. He additionally works as editor-in-chief of The Spectator, Valdosta State University's student paper. Gabe's work has been featured on a number of platforms, including Draft Breakdown and Pro Football Spot. His byline has been cited in media such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. Aside from covering Dodgers baseball, Gabe enjoys watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando Magic and Tampa Bay Lightning. He can be followed on Twitter at @GabeBurns_DN.

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