Hyun-jin Ryu scheduled to start for Dodgers Wednesday

It sounds like Hyun-jin Ryu will only end up missing one start with his lower back tightness. The left-hander is listed by the Dodgers as the scheduled starter on Wednesday against the Diamondbacks in the series finale at Dodger Stadium.

Ryu threw a bullpen session before Sunday's series finale against the Reds in Cincinnati and his back reportedly felt fine, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

Ryu last pitched for the Dodgers on Friday, Sept. 30 against the Padres, when he pitched into the seventh allowing just one run against the Padres. Ryu was 4-2 with a 2.61 ERA in August and on the season the rookie left-hander is 13-5 with a 3.02 ERA in 26 starts, with 139 strikeouts and 46 walks in 167 innings.

Ryu was originally scheduled to start Friday's series opener in Cincinnati but was scratched with back stiffness. The Dodgers, who after Sunday only play games against the National League West, will start Ricky Nolasco, Edinson Volquez and Ryu in three games against the Diamondbacks starting Monday night in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers lead the National League West by 11 games with 21 games left to play and entered Sunday with a magic number of 11 to clinch the division.

Links

• Bob Timmermann, guest-hosting at Dodger Thoughts, wrote about magic numbers across baseball.
• A.J. Ellis has been slumping of late but had two hits Saturday. Steve Dilbeck at the Los Angeles Times explores.
• Dilbeck also thinks it's time for Paco Rodriguez, he of the team-leading 69 appearances this season, should be rested more often.
• This is a couple of days old, but Grant Brisbee at Baseball Nation wrote about the last pitcher to steal a base for each team. The last Dodger pitcher was Greinke, on week ago Sunday.

Game info

Time: 5:05 p.m.

TV: ESPN

MLB Gameday