In an off-season that has been filled with one disappointment after another, Dodger fans finally received a bit of good news this past week … maybe.

It was reported a week ago Friday that Korean left-hander Hyun-jin Ryu might … might be fully recovered from his May 19 shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum when pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 19.

“I have no reason to believe I won’t be ready for Spring Training,” Ryu told reporters through an interpreter during a holiday event held at Dodger Stadium on December 18. “Other than throwing off a mound and going all out, I pretty much can do everything I want to do. I’m on a great program and everything is going great. No discomfort, absolutely nothing.”

Ryu believes that he could be even further along in his recovery but is closely following the advice of the Dodgers training and medical staffs in his long recovery process.

“I feel so good, I feel I could do it stronger, but I trust the trainers and medical staff with what they tell me to do,” he said. “I’m sure in time, I will get back on the mound.”

There was no indication of a shoulder problem when Ryu threw his first bullpen session of spring training on February 21, 2015. But after making only two spring training starts for a total of five innings pitched, he was lost for the season. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

It was revealed during a press conference on May 22 that both Ryu and the Dodgers were aware of his ailment when they signed the soon-to-be 29-year-old Incheon, South Korea native to a six-year / $36 million contract back on December 9, 2012. But in spite of the lingering injury, Ryu pitched nearly two full seasons with the Dodgers, posting an impressive 28-15 record and 3.38 ERA.

“I knew about the tear … two years ago,” Ryu said at the press conference.

Ryu’s shoulder injury didn’t come as a surprise to the media. The fact that both he and the Dodgers knew about it when they signed him two years earlier did. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

The hard-throwing left-hander has, for the most part, fallen completely off the radar for most Dodger fans after missing the entire 2015 season. Instead, they have been focusing on what they perceive as a lack of activity by the Dodgers front office this off-season, which saw them lose Zack Greinke to their division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks last month and their failed attempts to sign top-tier free agents David Price, Jordan Zimmermann and Johnny Cueto.

Although the Dodgers apparent inactivity this off-season has Dodger fans feeling a bit anxious with a sense that their team has fallen behind the Dbacks and Giants in the NL West, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi have repeated said that there are other options available than spending a lot of money on risky free agent signings – including Zack Greinke, who will be 37 years old when his contract with the Dbacks expires after the 2020 season. Instead, the Dodgers brain trust remains vigil in their efforts to “get younger” by continuing to add top prospects to their minor league system.

The Dodgers are also reportedly nearing a deal with Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda, who was recently posted by the Hiroshima Carp of the Nippon Professional Baseball league. Should this happen, Maeda figures to fill the number two spot in the Dodgers starting rotation behind staff ace Clayton Kershaw and ahead of Ryu – if he is, in fact, ready to return this spring.

With eight weeks remaining before pitchers and catchers report, it’s probably safe to say that Friedman and Zaidi aren’t finished wheeling and dealing this off-season. In fact, rumors continue that the two analytics gurus are still looking to acquire 23-year-old Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez – a move that would undoubtedly cost them several of their top prospects. However, to this point, Friedman and Zaidi have repeatedly refused to include their three best prospects – shortstop Corey Seager, left-hander Julio Urias and right-hander Jose De Leon – in any trade talks.

Should the Dodgers prove successful in landing Fernandez, he would then occupy the number two spot in the Dodgers rotation behind Kershaw and ahead of Maeda, with (hopefully) Ryu, Alex Wood and Brett Anderson rounding out the top five. The very obvious drawback to this starting rotation is that Maeda would be the only right-hander of the bunch – something that Friedman and Zaidi might not want.

…then again, maybe they would.