June 12th, 2016 at 5:00 pm 
by Ron Cervenka In less than 24 hours, two Dodgers pitchers made rehab starts for the Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. The difference between the two – and it’s a big one – is that the first one on Saturday evening was 32-year-old right-hander Brandon McCarthy‘s first and the second one on Sunday afternoon was 29-year-old left-hander Hyun-jin Ryu‘s fourth.
After making two rehab starts with the Quakes on May 15 and May 20 respectively, Ryu was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma City for a third. And though the extremely popular Incheon, South Korea native pitched four shutout innings allowing only four hits while walking none and striking out four with the OKC Dodgers on May 25, he was scratched from his next start on May 31, leading fans to speculate that he had suffered a setback.
He did not.
“I’ve been pitching, throwing catch and I’ve been just resting,” Ryu said through an interpreter following his three-inning – 46-pitch start on Sunday afternoon. “I wasn’t setback, I was just stopping between my routines and just waiting to come back.”
After his outing on Sunday afternoon, Dodger fans have reason to be optimistic that his return to the Dodgers may not be too far off. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Ryu had two great seasons with the Dodgers in 2013 and 2014 posting a combined 28-15 record and 3.17 ERA. But after experiencing pain in his left shoulder it was discovered that he had a torn labrum and he underwent surgery on May 21, 2015. And though Ryu repeatedly told reporters that he would be ready for spring training 2016, it didn’t happen. Not only did he miss all of spring training, he began the season on the 60-day disabled list and didn’t appear in a professional game again until his May 15 start with the Quakes.
In his three innings on Sunday Ryu allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits while walking none and striking out three. Of his 46 pitches, 35 were strikes. And while his curveball was absolutely filthy, several Lake Elsinore Storm batters hit his fastball rather hard.
“Overall I’m not really all that concerned about all the hits. Right now it’s more about control and what I feel,” Ryu said. “I know that I went through the middle [of the plate] a lot, that’s probably why they got a few hits today, but I’m not really concerned about that. Whenever I feel my control goes that’s what I’m testing it out.”
When asked if he expects to make his next start five days from now, Ryu was very direct and to the point.
“Yes.”
When asked where that next start might be, Ryu was a little less specific.
“I think I’ll find out it a few days.”
Ryu told reporters that he expects to make his next start in five days, although he has no idea where it might be. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
If Ryu comes through Sunday’s outing without any subsequent issues his next start will most likely be on Friday. June 17. If that start is with the Quakes it will be against the San Jose Giants at Municipal Stadium in San Jose. If it’s with the OKC Dodgers it will be against the New Orleans Zephyrs at Zephyr Field in Metairie, Louisiana.
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Sure, it wasn’t a setback; he just missed the all-you-can eat lobster buffets in SoCal..
Can always count on you for a kind word.
Snider fan – is your handle because of Duke? Duke is my all time favorite player. Jackie my most respected.
Regarding the rehabbing guys – McCarthy and Ryu. I always think it is just a good thing if they get through the game, regardless of the level, without experiencing any pain. I would like them to blow everyone away at that level but there are players who can hit at High-A and I think they are doing more than just getting guys out. There must be some hesitancy especially coming off TJ surgery or shoulder issues. It’s like ST all over again I expect as they must work up to more innings, pitches, command of breaking balls, location over time.
Clayton had a better rehab appearance at RC in 2014 but he is better anyway. He did give up a home run.
“They’re professional hitters too,” he said. “They had some guys that looked pretty comfortable in the box. It was just good to get the work in and come out of it feeling good.”
You nailed it Harold.
When I interview rehabbing players – especially pitchers – I always ask them how they feel after their outing (it’s kind of an expected question for them). Without exception, every one of them has said that they are more concerned about their health, their control and getting all of their pitches in more so than the game itself or their velocity (although the minor leaguers don’t see it this way – lol!).
Perhaps it’s just me, but I would expect fans who claim to be knowledgeable about the Dodgers minor league system (or baseball in general) to understand that Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-jin Ryu did not have a six-week spring training and that their rehab outings right now is, in fact, their spring training to build up their arm strength and endurance before rejoining the team – especially considering that they are recovering from very serious surgeries.
Most starters makes five or six appearances during spring training. They always start off at two innings max and increase by an inning or two with each successive outing. This is when they work on their control and on new pitches that they are hoping to add to their arsenal and it is not uncommon for them to struggle at times and even give up a few home runs.
Where I have a problem is with guys attacking professional baseball players – especially the extremely elite 750 who, by the grace of God, have the talent to make it to baseball’s highest level from behind their computer keyboards when they couldn’t even carry these guy’s jock straps.
I was with you 100% until last paragraph. As a Dodgers fan of 60+ years I have never “attacked” a player, coach, owner, or executive but on many occasions I have been critical of these groups when IMO they disrespect the game/teammates/fans (Manny Ramirez for example); time and again making the same mistakes (Puig); on and off the field cheating (Cargo claiming he caught a ball in the stands when he clearly knew he had not; Dee Gordon and many others using PEDs); openly pouting when asked to play a different position for the good of the team (Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp come to mind); unacceptable performance when being paid 10’s of millions of dollar (Crawford, Brian Wilson, Matt Latos, etc., etc., etc.). I played this great game for many years, but not even minor league level; however, I don’t believe that should prevent me from being critical of those 750+ who abuse the privilege of playing MLB. Sorry for the passionate response, not meant as an attack, just a different point of view.
I absolutely agree with you SCB, but there is a very distinct difference between harsh and even warranted criticism about players (both on and off-field) and saying things like “…he just missed the all-you-can eat lobster buffets in SoCal.”
Again, maybe it’s just me, but this has absolutely nothing to do with Ryu’s talents or even his shortcomings as a professional baseball player or as a human being and speaks more to the author of this comment than to Ryu.
I don’t know when the last time Snider Fan saw Hyun-jin Ryu in person (or if he has even ever done so) but I can assure you that Ryu is in excellent condition – probably a lot better than he is.
Agreed; I was not certain about “attacks.” I completely agree with your differentiation. Thanks
SoCalBum, I do not believe that the cases you sited fall into the “with guys attacking professional baseball players – especially the extremely elite 750”. I think that those comments were directed to “fans” who call McCarthy a bum, and says the HR he gave up will allow him to fit right in with the rest of the “bums”. Or they “suck”. I take comments like these directed to players a little more personally. My son played professionally for 9 years but was absolutely trashed by “fans” on a Phillies Message Board, even by a Phillies Sports Journalist. The commentary was not directed at his play, since he was an All-Star at every level, but because he looked like John Kruk. He was later traded to Boston, and I refused to even look for a Red Sox message board.
So I do become defensive when I read these nasty comments directed at players. My problem is that I let it become too personal, and then I went way past acceptable discussion, and I embarrassed myself.
Cheating and PEDS are not acceptable and should be commented on.
Disrespecting the game/teammates/fans is not acceptable and should be commented on. Although, as an aside, my son has said that Manny Ramirez was one of the very best teammates he ever had, but that 2004 Boston team was very close. I think behavior that you refer to is fair game, but hurtful comments directed to players because they are not hitting .300, or pitching 7+ innings, or are “too old” to stop a Kershaw WP, are not warranted. If “fans” want to jump all over FO personnel because their moves (or lack thereof) did not work as well as the moves they would have made, I think is fine. But not when it gets to name calling.
As I wrote to Ron Cervenka; completely agree. Thanks for taking time to explain.
Yes, Duke was my favorite Dodger when I was a little kid.
I hear what you’re saying about rehabbing players and of course it’s wise to be cautious if a player feels pain after a start. Hearing it wasn’t a setback just reminded me of Kazmir saying there was nothing wrong in ST and for the first month of the season. Apologies for my attempt at humor, I’m sure Ryu is in better condition than I was thirty years ago.
Ron, any plans for an article on Dodgers draft?
I waiting for Harold’s draft summary as we speak.
I have Baseball America subscription and its scouting reports on several of the Dodgers picks are quite good.
Ron, I guess it’s semantics, but when a player doesn’t pitch for 2 1/2 weeks and goes back to A ball it does not seem like progress. Since English is a second language for Ryu maybe I should have cut him some slack. But you have to admit that picture you printed made him look like Sid Fernandez. I wish him a speedy recovery.
Don’t know why I’m even bothering to reply to this but Ryu pitching at High-A is not a demotion. He’s a major leaguer on a rehab assignment. Where he rehabs is not important … well, at least not to most people.
I love when they rehab with the Quakes, as it gives me an opportunity to personally watch them and interview them.
Sorry you don’t like my photography. (Not really).
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