Hyun-jin Ryu begins throwing program

LOS ANGELES --Dodgers starter Hyun-jin Ryu played catch before Friday's game against the Giants, the first time throwing for the left-hander since getting placed on the disabled list last Friday with inflammation in his left shoulder.

Ryu threw lightly - the term du jour at Chavez Ravine is submaximal - in the outfield with starter Dan Haren on Friday while the rest of the pitching staff did fielding drills before their normal pregame stretching and workouts.

The left-hander felt something in his shoulder while allowing six runs in a loss to the Rockies on April 27, and was placed on the disabled list five days later. The earliest possible date Ryu could be activated is Tuesday against the Marlins, though that seems unlikely.

Ryu will likely throw again on Saturday.

"We'll just keep progressing. He's ahead of the game, we feel like that will move quickly," manager Don Mattingly said. "He's pain free and that's the best thing. He hasn't given us any indication that this is something serious that will be anything longer."

Mattingly said Ryu hasn't missed enough time yet to require a minor league rehab start before a return to the majors, but that will depend on how long this stretches on.

"Once he's ready to go, he'll be ready to go. With his touch and the way he's worked in the past, he's been able to basically throw a pen then get right back on it."

Ellis rehab

Catcher A.J. Ellis caught seven innings in an extended spring training game on Friday, and was 1-for-1 and was hit by a pair of pitches. Ellis will be the designated hitter on Saturday, and the Dodgers will then determine his next step, which could be a minor league rehabilitation assignment.

"He'll get as many at-bats as he can tomorrow, then we'll see where we go," Mattingly said.

Ellis had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee on April 8, and the initial prognosis was that he would miss four to six weeks.