Hyun-jin Ryu to make 2017 Cactus League debut on Saturday vs. Angels

SCOTTSDALE — Hyun-jin Ryu is expected to make his Cactus League debut on Saturday afternoon against the Angels at Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers announced on Monday.

The team has proceeded with caution with Ryu, who is coming off elbow surgery and has one major league start in the last two seasons. He has been limited to bullpen sessions and simulated innings on the back fields so far in camp. His last outing was Saturday, with two simulated innings against Yasiel Puig, Trayce Thompson, Franklin Gutierrez and Willie Calhoun.

That sets the rotation for the rest of the week, including Brandon McCarthy and Julio Urias pitching on Friday night against the Rangers. An off day Thursday throws a little bit of a wrench into the plans, but Kenta Maeda will instead pitch a simulated game on the back fields at Camelback Ranch.

The tentative schedule for the rest of the week:

• Tuesday: Clayton Kershaw vs. Giants
• Wednesday: Rich Hill at Brewers, Kenta Maeda on back fields
• Thursday: off day
• Friday: Julio Urias & Brandon McCarthy vs. Rangers
• Saturday: Hyun-jin Ryu vs. Angels

What isn’t known just yet is where the other starters fill in, but so far this spring Alex Wood has piggybacked with Kershaw, Ross Stripling with Hill, and Brock Stewart with Maeda.

There are probably enough game innings to go around this next time through the rotation, but after that as starters begin to extend themselves the innings crunch could become apparent.