Hyun-Jin Ryu – Dodger Thoughts

Best of the 2010s:
The All-Decade Dodgers

On September 30, 2019

Raymond Gorospe/MLB.com

We have nearly reached the end of the ’10s, and though selections of the Dodgers’ all-decade team should probably wait until after the 2019 World Series, these few days of relative calm before the storm of the postseason seemed like a good time to reveal them. Nothing is likely to affect these choices between now and then (although I’m fascinated by the idea that something could).

Most challenging was having to deal with five legitimate candidates for the four openings at outfield/first base. Catcher was nearly a toss-up, and second base yielded its own surprise.

Here we go …

The Dodgers might not have a 10-game winner this year

By Jon Weisman

On August 27, 2018

In Dodgers

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Pitcher wins are a nuisance as a measure of success and basically only qualify as trivia, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be interesting or deeply weird trivia.

And it’s interesting and deeply weird that for the first time in franchise history, the Dodgers might not have a single pitcher win 10 games this season.

Which starting pitchers should move into the bullpen for the Dodgers?

By Jon Weisman

On August 10, 2018

In Bullpen, Dodgers, Pitching

Kenley Jansen’s absence puts more pressure on the rest of the Dodger pitching staff to step up.
(Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

All summer long, the big question for the Dodger pitching staff has been which relievers would serve as the bridge to Kenley Jansen.

But with the distressing news that Jansen will be sidelined at least into September with an irregular heartbeat, we now have to ponder not only the bridge, but the destination.

You can read all the options the Dodgers have available in my recent review of the Dodger pitching staff, and Dustin Nosler of Dodgers Digest has a post up today looking specifically at who might close in Jansen’s absence.

My focus today is on the fact that it’s obvious that the Dodgers, who will soon have seven starting pitchers available with the impending returns of Alex Wood and Hyun-Jin Ryu from the disabled list, will need to move at least one starting pitcher to the bullpen — two if they don’t go with a six-man rotation.

Walker Buehler’s time arrives for the Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On May 3, 2018

In Dodgers, Health/injuries, Pitching

Walker Buehler has a 2.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts in his first 10 innings for the Dodgers this year. (Michael Urakami/MLB.com)

Seems like Walker Buehler can take Rancho Cucamonga hotels out of his favorites on Waze.

Hyun-Jin Ryu’s comeback unique in Dodger history

By Jon Weisman

On April 17, 2018

In Dodgers, Pitching

Since 2017, Hyun-Jin Ryu has a 113 ERA+ in 142 1/3 innings. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Sometime in the next six or 12 months, Julio Urías will attempt to return to the big leagues from major shoulder surgery.

In the meantime, with much less fanfare than one would anticipate for Urías, Hyun-Jin Ryu is making one of the most impressive and odds-defying comebacks ever by a Dodger pitcher.

Ryu is …

the first Dodger since Darren Dreifort to make 25 starts after missing more than a season with an injury. (Dreifort was actually a reliever in 1994-95 when he made his first extended stay on the disabled list.)
the first Dodger starting pitcher since Orel Hershiser to miss more than a year (April 1990-May 1991) and then return to the rotation to make at least 25 starts.
the first Dodger starting pitcher since Tommy John to sit out an entire season (1975) and then return to the rotation for at least 25 starts.

John went 21 months between starts, from July 17, 1974 to April 16, 1976. Ryu missed 22 months, from September 2014 to July 2016, made one MLB appearance — then went another nine months without throwing an official pitch.

And now, Ryu has thrown nearly 150 innings since nearly being mothballed. At least dating back to the franchise’s move to Los Angeles, no pitcher in a Dodger uniform (and there have been several remarkable ones, I hear) has done anything like it.

Clayton Kershaw eyeing Saturday bullpen session

By Jon Weisman

On August 18, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching

By Jon Weisman

Some quick Dodger pitching updates for before the game:

Clayton Kershaw is expected to meet the Dodgers in Cincinnati, where he will throw off flat ground Friday with a tentative bullpen session scheduled for Saturday.
Bud Norris remains scheduled to be activated from the disabled list Friday, with Brett Anderson starting Saturday.
Lefty reliever Adam Liberatore is expected to be activated from the disabled list Friday as well, meaning the Dodgers would have to make two roster moves in the next 24 hours.
Kenta Maeda, whose next turn in the rotation would be Sunday, might get extra rest, with the Dodgers turning to an in-house spot starter in that case.
Rich Hill is pitching a simulated game at Camelback Ranch tonight.
Hyun-Jin Ryu is rehabbing but has not picked up a baseball. He is not expected to return for the Dodgers in 2016.

Dodgers acquire Josh Fields from Astros

By Jon Weisman

On August 1, 2016

In Health/injuries, Transactions

Josh Fields (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

In another Deadline Day move, the Dodgers acquired right-handed reliever Josh Fields from the Astros for minor-league first baseman Yordan Alvarez.

To make room Fields on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers moved Hyun-Jin Ryu to the 60-day disabled list. If healthy, Ryu is eligible to come off the disabled list after the first week of September.

Dodgers activate Pederson, send Ryu back to DL

By Jon Weisman

On July 19, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Dodgers at Nationals, 7:05 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, CF
Chris Taylor, SS
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Joc Pederson has been activated from the 15-day disabled list, but the Dodgers are placing pitchers Hyun-Jin Ryu and Casey Fien on the 15-day disabled list, each with elbow tendonitis.

Luis Avilan is returning from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take Fien’s roster spot.

Ryu was scheduled to start for the Dodgers at Washington on Wednesday. He allowed six runs in 4 2/3 innings July 7, in his first start since 2014.

The Dodgers haven’t announced a replacement starter for Wednesday. Bud Norris is scheduled to start on regular rest for Thursday’s day game. Clayton Kershaw doesn’t have an announced return date yet.

Ryu feels no pain after start, looks to increase velocity

By Jon Weisman

On July 7, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching

By Jon Weisman

Hyun-Jin Ryu said after tonight’s big-league comeback start that he felt no problems physically with his surgically repaired shoulder, and is focusing on improving the results.

“Overall, I felt really great, (though) I gave up the runs,” Ryu said. “My shoulder felt great. I didn’t see any issues.”

“As I threw more, I was feeling better mentally,” he added. “I don’t think there were any uncomfortable pitches. I was pretty much happy with my control. … I just have to get better. ”

Ryu conceded that he is hoping his fastball speed will increase as he gets more work in.

“Compared to when I was healthy, of course my velocity is a little down,” he said. “Again, as I play more games, I think (I’ll improve).”

Seeing Ryu take a Major League mound again “was a victory in itself,” Dave Roberts said.

Hyun-Jin Ryu struggles in return

By Jon Weisman

On July 7, 2016

In Postgame

By Jon Weisman

The question with Hyun-Jin Ryu tonight, or at least one of the big ones after he spent more than a year recovering from shoulder surgery, was about the effectiveness of his fastball.

The San Diego Padres didn’t have much trouble answering it, knocking eight hits and scoring six runs over 4 2/3 innings, the length of Ryu’s first big-league appearance since the 2014 playoffs, in a 6-0 victory.

Dodgers activate Hyun-Jin Ryu, call up Carlos Frias

By Jon Weisman

On July 7, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

Hyun-Jin Ryu was recognized by Korean consulate general Key-Chul Lee and director of Korean tourism Tae Shik before Tuesday’s game against the Orioles.

Padres at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Trayce Thompson, CF
Scott Van Slyke, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P

By Jon Weisman

As presaged three days ago, Hyun-Jin Ryu has officially been activated by the Dodgers, who also promoted Carlos Frias from Triple-A Oklahoma City to support their heavily used bullpen.

To make room on the roster for the two right-handers, the Dodgers have designated outfielder Will Venable for assignment and will send reliever Luis Avilan to Oklahoma City.

Hyun-Jin Ryu to start Thursday for Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On July 4, 2016

In Pregame

Orioles at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Will Venable, LF
Julio Urías, P

By Jon Weisman

Fresh off the successful return of Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-Jin Ryu will try to make it 2 for 2 when he starts for the Dodgers on Thursday against San Diego.

Dave Roberts confirmed the news to reporters before tonight’s game.

Ryu has been sidelined even longer than McCarthy. His last start for Los Angeles came in Game 3 of the 2014 National League Division Series, when he held St. Louis to one run in six innings of a 3-1 loss.

That itself had been Ryu’s first appearance since September 12, 2014, when he exited after allowing four runs in the first inning at San Francisco.

Ryu started for the Dodgers in Spring Training 2015 but was on the disabled list when the regular season started, eventually having shoulder surgery in May, a little more than 13 months ago.

Farm Fresh: Rob Segedin named Triple-A All-Star

By Jon Weisman

On July 1, 2016

In Awards, Minor leagues

[milbvideo id=”815098383″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

Oklahoma City Dodgers infielder Rob Segedin was named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team for the Triple-A All-Star Game on July 13 in Charlotte.

Brock Stewart rises from Single-A to MLB in 11 weeks

By Jon Weisman

On June 29, 2016

In Minor leagues, Transactions

Oklahoma City Dodgers

Dodgers at Brewers, 5:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Trayce Thompson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Brock Stewart, P

By Jon Weisman

A year after being drafted in the sixth round by the Dodgers, Brock Stewart turned in a reasonably solid 2015. He had a 2.84 ERA in seven starts for low Single-A Great Lakes, then got the half-step promotion to Rancho Cucamonga.

Things were moving in the right direction. The right-hander got roughed up for eight runs in his first start for the Quakes and logged a 5.43 ERA for them, but progress is progress. In 2016, he’d have every opportunity to move up another level.

Or two …

Or three …

Remarkably, after beginning 2016 at Single-A, the 24-year-old Stewart has climbed all the way to the Major Leagues, where he will be making his MLB debut for the Dodgers as their starting pitcher against Milwaukee tonight.

Farm Fresh: June 23 Dodger minors highlights

By Jon Weisman

On June 24, 2016

In Minor leagues

[milbvideo id=”850000783″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]
By Miranda Perez

Highlights from the Dodger farm system for June 23, including Hyun-Jin Ryu’s latest rehab outing and two walkoff wins …

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Tag: Hyun-Jin Ryu (Page 1 of 7)

Best of the 2010s:
The All-Decade Dodgers

The Dodgers might not have a 10-game winner this year

Which starting pitchers should move into the bullpen for the Dodgers?

Walker Buehler’s time arrives for the Dodgers

Hyun-Jin Ryu’s comeback unique in Dodger history

Clayton Kershaw eyeing Saturday bullpen session

Dodgers acquire Josh Fields from Astros

Dodgers activate Pederson, send Ryu back to DL

Ryu feels no pain after start, looks to increase velocity

Hyun-Jin Ryu struggles in return

Dodgers activate Hyun-Jin Ryu, call up Carlos Frias

Hyun-Jin Ryu to start Thursday for Dodgers

Farm Fresh: Rob Segedin named Triple-A All-Star

Brock Stewart rises from Single-A to MLB in 11 weeks

Farm Fresh: June 23 Dodger minors highlights

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