Dodger fans hoping to get a timetable for when left-hander Hyun-jin Ryu will begin to see game action are going to be frustrated because there isn’t one – that’s the long and short of it. But the good news is that the Incheon, South Korea native – who turned 29-years-old on Friday – threw a 35-pitch bullpen session and in addition to looking pretty good doing it, he also apparently came through it without and issues or setbacks.

Although the bullpen session was what former Dodgers manager Don Mattingly used to affectionately call “submaximal throwing,” it appeared that Ryu threw all of his pitches. And even though his velocity was down noticeably (under the direction of the Dodgers medical staff), his slider looked quite sharp even at the reduced velocity.

Depending on how Ryu feels on Sunday after throwing a 35-pitch bullpen session on Saturday will give the Dodgers a better idea of where he stands regarding his return to action.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

But the thing that Dodger fans need to keep in mind is that the popular left-hander will absolutely begin the season on the disabled list, perhaps even the 60-day disabled list.

Also throwing a bullpen session of Saturday morning was right-hander Brandon Beachy, who was shutdown on March 20 after experiencing what was being called “a sore elbow” on March 18. And while a sore elbow is never a good thing for a pitcher, it is far worse for someone who has had two Tommy John surgeries.

Beachy threw 45 pitches on Saturday and appeared to be throwing at close to full speed (relatively speaking). Like Ryu, there has been no word on a possible return date. Also like Ryu, there is every indication that the 29-year-old Kokomo, Indiana native will begin the season on the disabled list.

Beachy appeared to have come out of his 45-pitch bullpen session on Saturday without any issues.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As for Scott Kazmir, he left Saturday’s game after only four innings after experiencing abdominal discomfort. And though this caused some concern for fans and media, the 32-year-old Houston, Texas native insisted (ad nauseam) that is was nothing more than the result of dehydration. And although Dodgers right-hander Joe Blanton was roughed up for two home runs in his two innings of work on Saturday night, there has been no mention of health issues for the 35-year-old Bowling Green, Kentucky native.

Dodgers right-hander Joe Blanton watches as White Sox shortstop Tyler Saladino’s ball clears the left field fence on Saturday night at Camelback Ranch.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

After Sunday’s afternoon game against the Cincinnati Reds the Dodger will have only three more spring training games at Camelback Ranch before the annual Freeway Series exhibition games against the Angels – two at Dodger Stadium and the finale at Angel Stadium. After a day off they then open the 2016 regular season on Monday, April 4 against the Padres at Petco Park in San Diego … finally.