The Los Angeles Dodgers have gotten some bad news. According to reports, left-hander Hyun-jin Ryu is electing to have shoulder surgery that will likely end his 2015 season before it ever began.
Ryu's case is a curious one. Recent MRIs showed no tears in his labrum, nor "obvious" structural damage, but there's still enough pain to keep him off the mound. Ryu had to shut down a comeback attempt in March after he felt tightness during a bullpen session. His upcoming surgery will be exploratory to get a better handle on why his condition isn't improving.
"It hasn't progressed as quickly as we all hoped, and he's worked extremely hard to get back. It just isn't happening as quickly as he would like," Dodgers general manager Andrew Friedman said.
"It's not a totally clear-cut, black-and-white issue. It's more involved than that. We have an excellent doctor in ElAttrache and a very good medical department ,and everyone is putting their heads together to see what makes the most sense."
The news about Ryu is a downer just one day after they received very good news about Cuban import Hector Olivera, who came to the U.S. with fears he may need Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow. An MRI showed that Olivera will not need season-ending elbow surgery and that the trouble stemmed from a sprain, and not a torn ulnar collateral ligament.
The loss of Ryu for the season increases the pressure on surprising young pitcher Mike Bolsinger as well as unbeaten Carlos Frias. The Dodgers are also patiently waiting for Brandon Beachy, who hasn't pitched an MLB inning since 2013.
Beachy's career-high for innings pitched is 141.2, but he's been highly productive when he's able to throw.
"He's making progress," manager Don Mattingly said. "Mentally he's moving forward. He's getting closer and closer to games." Beachy could join the rotation in June.
[ESPN]
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