Hyun-jin Ryu returns to start today

The Dodgers announced this afternoon that left-handed pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu was activated from the 10-day injured list. The corresponding transaction was optioning right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz to Oklahoma City.

Ryu was placed on the injured list on April 9th for a left groin strain after he was removed from his start the prior day. Unlike both Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill, Ryu did not pitch any rehab games but instead threw bullpen sessions to get ready.ad

Sborz was recalled on Sunday and his time on the active roster corresponded with the best stretch of starting pitching the Dodgers have had this season. Thus, he did not get into any games this week.

If Rich Hill can return to the rotation next week, the Dodgers could have the starting rotation they envisioned with both Ross Stripling and Julio Urías in the bullpen.

Dodgers winning streak has been due to strong starting pitching

The Dodgers streak of consecutive quality starts ended with Stripling’s 4⅔ innings start last night. But still, Stripling kept the Dodgers in the game and they were able to manage their bullpen for the win.

The Dodgers have allowed three runs or less in all six games which is in direct contrast to their first sixteen games when they allowed four or more runs in fourteen of them.

Ryu will be facing a team he has not fared well against in the past. In two starts in the 2018 NLCS, Ryu gave up seven runs and 13 hits in 7⅓ innings pitched against the Brewers.

Also, it is likely that Jansen will not be available today so the Dodgers will be short-handed in the pen.

Spreading the wealth around

The Dodgers have six different players with 13 or more runs batted in this season. That is twice as many players as any other team in the National League and only the Mariners with seven players have more than the Dodgers.

Cody Bellinger leads the team with 25 RBI. Max Muncy, Kiké Hernández, Joc Pederson and AJ Pollock each have 14 RBI. And Alex Verdugo has 13 RBI so far this season.

So far this season, the Dodgers are doing the job with runners in scoring position. They are hitting .286/.390/.486 with 84 runs scored.

And with two outs and runners in scoring position, they are hitting .289/.434/.533 with 42 runs scored in those situations.

Other notes

Both Alex Verdugo and Caleb Ferguson surpassed their at-bats and innings pitched totals that will move them off any prospects lists going forward.

It is early but getting at least a split in the next two games against the Brewers will give the Dodgers the tie-breaker in case both teams end up with the same record in a playoff situation.