Hyun-jin Ryu, Chris Capuano expected to make weekend starts

The Dodgers battle the Padres on Monday night with Stephen Fife on the mound, the second straight spot start needed by the club. But the Dodgers expect to have starting pitchers Hyun-jin Ryu and Chris Capuano back on the mound on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Ryu missed Sunday's start with a left foot contusion, after taking a comebacker off the foot in Tuesday's shutout of the Angels. He felt soreness when testing the foot in a light bullpen session on Saturday, and had another bullpen session on Monday, a rarity for Ryu, who doesn't normally throw bullpens between starts.

"It was understood that I didn't go full speed today, but I went as far as I could," Ryu said before Monday's game. "It's a lot better today."

Capuano, who missed Monday's start with tightness in his left triceps, has an MRI on his left arm on Monday and as long as those results come back with good news he will be able to make his next start.

"I'm assuming, and I guess I shouldn't assume at this point with our club, but I'm assuming that he's going to be okay and he's going to be able to make his next start," manager Don Mattingly said before the game. "The only thing that would change that is if the MRI comes back and tells us something different."

The Dodgers play the Braves in a four-game series beginning Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. Friday would feature Ryu against Paul Maholm for Atlanta, with Saturday pitting Capuano against Kris Medlen.

"I'm pretty confident I should make my next start," Ryu said. "Donnie and Honey (pitching coach Rick Honeycutt) are going to talk about that day today, and whatever day they choose I'll be ready for that day."