Dodgers News: Hyun-Jin Ryu Is Showing He Wants a Rotation Spot

After tossing two scoreless innings against the Angels his last time out, Hyun-Jin Ryu came back to pitch against the Cubs and delivered another promising start.

He threw 53 pitches on Thursday afternoon. Across three innings, he allowed only one earned run.

Eric Stephen of True Blue LA tweeted that Ryu has looked quite well this spring.

Hyun-jin Ryu throws 53 pitches in his 3 innings. All things considered, he has looked good so far this spring

— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) March 16, 2017

Another positive, was him showing that he still has the ability to miss bats. Notching four strikeouts over his three innings on the mound.

Hyun-Jin Ryu had four strikeouts through three innings today. ? #???! pic.twitter.com/NUw20JcmJS

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 16, 2017

Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register received a few positive quotes from Ryu himself:

Hyun-Jin Ryu said he will be ready by Opening Day "Obviously I will make few more starts, build up pitch count but I feel like I'll be ready

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 16, 2017

Ryu: "My concentration is similar to when I came in here in 2013. There were a lot of good starting pitchers here then too. (cont)

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 16, 2017

Ryu (cont): "I was able to win that competition (for a spot in the starting rotation).

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) March 16, 2017

In an interview with Sports Net LA’s Alanna Rizzo, Ryu said that he was feeling quite healthy.

Even our own Brandon Knudsen has a positive outlook on Hyun-Jin Ryu after seeing his first two spring appearances.

Gotta admit I'm encouraged by Ryu's spring. I think with a short stint in extended spring to rebuild strength, he could be weapon in 2017

— BOK (@Knudervalve) March 16, 2017

Ryu’s final line for the day looked like this:

Ryu today: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 4 K, 1 BB
In two starts this spring: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 K, 1 BB https://t.co/ndI6gLd109

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) March 16, 2017

If he continues to stay healthy, Ryu could definitely be a contributing factor to the Dodgers title hopes in 2017.