July 8th, 2016 at 6:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Dodger fans who did not watch Hyun-jin Ryu‘s first MLB start since undergoing shoulder surgery for a torn labrum on May 21, 2015 and look only at the box score will undoubtedly think that he was absolutely awful through his 4.2 innings of work. But those who actually did see him pitch on Thursday night – either on TV or at Dodger Stadium – know that he was actually better than his numbers indicate.
Yes, he allowed six runs on eight hits including a home run to the first batter he faced in Thursday night’s 6-0 loss to the San Diego Padres and he did issue two walks, but he also struck out four of the 24 batters he faced and didn’t exactly have a stellar defense behind him in his 2016 season debut. He also received zero run support – literally – from a team that has been more or less red hot over the past week but on this night could muster only two hits, while stranding seven men one base and were 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position.
“I think the biggest part was getting him back out there and it was a victory in itself and the biggest question will be how he feels tomorrow and the next day,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after the game. “As far as results, we’d hoped for more and better, but to get him through five innings, there were some good things up until the fifth inning when I felt he ran out of gas a little bit. We’re encouraged.”
Although Ryu touched 91 and 92-MPH with his fastball a few times, most were in the 88-89-MPH range, which is a dangerous proposition against most major league hitters.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
And what does the 29-year-old Incheon, South Korea native think of his first outing in 21 months?
“Overall, the shoulder felt really great, no issues, I consider it pretty decent today,” Ryu said through an interpreter. “As I threw more I was feeling better. I know it will get so much better as I pitch more innings. I was happy with my control. I just need to go through it more times and I will get better.”
To be fair, Ryu and the Dodgers faced a worthy opponent in Padres left-hander Drew Pomeranz, who was absolutely brilliant. As noted, he allowed no runs and only two hits while walking only two and striking out six in his seven innings of work.
“Pomeranz used his curve a lot more, threw cut fastballs in to righties, elevated the fastball late in counts,” Roberts said. “He got us earlier this year, pretty much the same. He’s had a really nice first half. We couldn’t get any momentum.”
But did Ryu pitch well enough to earn another start at a time when the Dodgers need a little extra from their starting rotation with staff ace Clayton Kershaw on the shelf for an undisclosed period of time?
“This is the first time he’s gone through shoulder surgery, obviously it’s been a long road to come back, and we’re really mindful of it,” said Roberts. “Until he can sustain start after start and increase the pitch count, it’s an unknown for him and for us.”
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The offense has been completely shut down over the past 18 innings, so that wasn’t any help for Ryu, who we hope will show improvement as time goes on.
I know Ryu cannot be sent to minors without his consent, but it sure makes sense to do so before today’s game and bring up a bench player. Dodgers will not need Ryu to pitch again until June 19 or later. That would give him another rehab start (even if Rancho Cucamonga) during the All Star break rather than throwing BP sessions. Same could apply to Frias who pitched very well last night for 4 innings, send him down to continue to pitch then recall him on 19th.
I know it is just one game, and Ryu is fighting to get back, but I do not think that while LAD is playing for a playoff spot, without your Ace (for who knows how long), without a true #2, without any SP who can consistently pitch into the 7th inning (if not 6th), with McCarthy himself returning from major surgery, with an already overused BP, that Ryu belongs with the ML team. He is simply not ready, and may not be until September if at all this year. He needs to build up his arm strength, and work on his command, but does it have to be at ML level in the middle of a playoff run?
I am generally a Friedman supporter, but the FO got the Dodgers in this fix with their tweaks and fringe around the edge signings. I was okay with McCarthy and Anderson signings last year. They were never supposed to be more than a #4 or #5. I was okay with Kazmir after losing out on other premium SP. I liked (and still do) the Bud Norris trade.
I do not know what dollar restrictions were placed on Friedman, but perhaps the Johnny Cueto, or Jeff Samardzija, or Jordan Zimmerman, or even Mike Leake FA signings were ruled out. It is just as likely that the owners chose Friedman because he was considered good at finding the nugget at the least cost, as much as it is that Friedman is afraid to pull the trigger on a big trade or signing.
If the FO truly believes that this team can contend in a playoff stretch, and potentially be strong in the playoffs, then they should do whatever they can to get the team the SP that can compete at that level. There is no Cole Hamels or David Price available this year. But rental pitchers like Rich Hill and/or Jeremy Hellickson might be for second tier prospects. Or do you trade for Jay Bruce and package Puig in a trade for Sonny Gray? Or do you suck up the Ryan Braun albatross of a contract and get Jonathan Lucroy, and still package Puig for Sonny Gray? But waiting for Ryu to fully return, and relying on Kazmir, Maeda, Norris, and McCarthy as support for Clayton, without out a true 8th inning setup to Jansen, and with an offense that is not producing near enough runs, is admitting that this is not the year. And if that is the decision, I am okay with it. One thing is for certain, no matter what Friedman and Zaidi do, half of the fans will support it, and half will ridicule it. We will know what direction the FO believes we are headed for in 2016 in the next 2-3 weeks.