After 640 days without a big league start, a layoff caused by career-altering shoulder surgery, Hyun-Jin Ryu is scheduled to take the ball for the Dodgers on Thursday against San Diego.
A torn labrum cost Ryu the entirety of the 2015 season and the first three months of this season. He made eight starts on a minor league rehabilitation assignment that was interrupted by a mid-May recurrence of soreness. His performance in the minors raised questions about his viability as he returns from surgery, with his fastball velocity hovering in the upper 80s.
“I think I’m pretty much ready to go,” Ryu said through an interpreter before Monday’s game with the Dodgers.