Hyun-jin Ryu throws simulated game in preparation for NLDS Game 3

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu threw 45 pitches in a three-inning simulated game on the mound at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, in what the team hopes was the final hurdle to clear for him to start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Cardinals on Monday in St. Louis.

Ryu, who has been dealing with left shoulder inflammation and hasn't pitched since Sept. 12, threw at his "normal velocity" and used all of his pitches during the simulated game, the Dodgers said, and reported no problems before, during or after pitching.

Among the Dodgers hitters he faced were Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford, Dee Gordon and Scott Van Slyke.

The simulated game, and all of Wednesday's Dodgers workout at Dodger Stadium, was closed to the media.

"We wanted to be able to relax more than anything. We don't need you guys here every day talking about the same thing," manager Don Mattingly said on Tuesday. "We have some things we want to work on without people all over the place."

The next step for Ryu is to be reevaluated by the team's medical staff on Thursday to see how his shoulder responds. If cleared, Ryu is expected to start Game 3 of the NLDS on Monday in St. Louis. Ryu is 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in three career starts against the Cardinals with 18 strikeouts and two walks in 21 innings, including seven shutout innings in Game 3 of the 2013 NLCS.

Ryu spent time on the disabled list in April and May with shoulder inflammation earlier in the season, and returned to the mound 24 days after his last start. The 24-day mark after Ryu's last start this time around just happens to be  Monday, when Game 3 will be played in St. Louis.