Hyun-jin Ryu looks to continue gathering momentum

It has been a long road to recovery for Hyun-jin Ryu after shoulder surgery ended his 2015 season before it began. Ryu spent two seasons trying his best to get back on the mound with any kind of consistency. The kind of consistency the lefty has seemingly found recently.

Ryu is coming off his best outing of 2017 when he shutout the Mets over seven innings, striking out eight and allowing only one hit. It was the second straight start of seven scoreless innings.

The Dodgers starting pitching situation has been fluid all year and Ryu struggled to fit into the plan early on. It was mid-May when the big lefty was sent to the bullpen in a rotation crunch.

Ryu was determined to make an impact on the team that has been patient with his rehab process.

Starting with a four-inning save on May 25, the left-hander has a 2.75 ERA and has held opponents to two or less runs in seven of nine starts over that span. Boil it down to the last six starts and the numbers get even better. Ryu has allowed just 8 runs in 34 2/3 innings for a 2.08 ERA, striking out 38 against only nine walks.

Not even a month-long absence due to taking a comebacker off his left foot on June 28 against the Angels slowed his momentum.

The back end of the Dodgers’ rotation has essentially been a series of auditions to keep a spot for the better part of the year. Ryu has staked his claim and will look to continue building on his success when he takes the ball Saturday against the Padres.

Game info

Time: 6:10 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA