Hyun-Jin Ryu to pitch rehab game Sunday

By Cary Osborne

Hyun-Jin Ryu will pitch in a game Sunday — the first time he has toed the rubber for a game since March 17, 2015 in Spring Training.

Dave Roberts said today that Ryu will start his rehab assignment in Rancho Cucamonga, where he will pitch possibly two innings.

The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start in San Bernardino, where the Quakes will take on Inland Empire.

Roberts said he anticipates Ryu making four or five appearances before he’s ready to return to the Dodgers.

In addition, Brandon McCarthy pitched another simulated inning at Dodger Stadium today and faced Charlie Culberson, who was taking hacks against him.

“Charlie said the ball was coming out good — fastball, changeup, curve — and so that’s another step in the right direction,” Roberts said. “He puts some good swings, but there were also some swings and misses, which was good to see from McCarthy’s standpoint.”

Roberts said McCarthy will get one more simulated inning before being sent out for a rehab assignment.

Yimi Garcia, who went on the disabled list April 23 with right biceps soreness, is in Arizona and not near a return.

“We’re a little beside ourselves on the lack of progress, so he’s just kind of laying low and not really doing any baseball activities,” Roberts said.

Garcia felt soreness on April 22 and left after two-thirds of an inning in Colorado.

One more note: Chase Utley returns to the starting lineup at second base, a day after Howie Kendrick went 2 for 5 and was robbed of a home run.

Roberts said he wanted Utley’s left-handed bat in the lineup with right-hander Carlos Martinez’s ball running in on right-handers.