MIAMI (AP) - With ace Clayton Kershaw on the verge of rejoining the rotation, the Los Angeles Dodgers are now without Hyun-Jin Ryu.
The left-hander went on the 15-day disabled list Friday with inflammation in his throwing shoulder. No MRI was planned, and the injury wasn’t believed to be serious, according to manager Don Mattingly.
Kershaw rejoined the Dodgers before the start of their series at Miami. The two-time Cy Young Award winner, recovering from a strained upper back, will pitch a bullpen session Saturday and is expected to come off the DL to start Tuesday at Washington.
The Dodgers became aware of Ryu’s injury after he pitched poorly in his most recent start, a 6-1 loss to Colorado. He gave up six runs and nine hits in five-plus innings.
“He said he was feeling it a little bit during the game,” Mattingly said. “Maybe that explains a little bit the velocities we’ve seen - 87, 88. Over the next couple of days it didn’t progress like we thought it would, so here we are.”
Ryu, who was sent to the DL retroactive to Monday, is 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA in seven starts. Mattingly declined to say who will start in his place Sunday at Miami.
The Dodgers also recalled outfielder Chone Figgins and right-hander Jose Dominguez from Triple-A Albuquerque. Both met the team in Miami after the Dodgers played a doubleheader Thursday at Minnesota.
Left-hander Paco Rodriguez and right-hander Red Patterson were optioned to Albuquerque.
Kershaw rejoined the Dodgers after making two rehabilitation starts. He opened this season getting a win over Arizona in Australia on March 22 but then went on the disabled list for the first time in his seven-year career.
“You feel like you’re kind of letting the team down,” he said. “Some of this stuff is out of your control, but I take some pride in being able to go out there every fifth day and pitch deep into the game. I’m looking forward to getting back and starting to contribute again.”
Kershaw is confident he’s ready to return. He went on the DL after he complained of discomfort while throwing on the side March 29.
“I really haven’t felt pain since that day,” he said, “so that has been good. The timetable is probably about right.”
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