Hyun-Jin Ryu hasn’t pitched in a game since September 12 due to shoulder inflammation, but Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register this afternoon that the southpaw will return to start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Cardinals next Monday.
Ryu was cleared after throwing 45 pitches in a three-inning simulated game yesterday. He’ll be going on 23 days’ rest on Monday, so there’s some risk of rust, but the Dodgers are apparently confident that he’s healthy and ready to go. Clayton Kershaw will start Game 1 and Zack Greinke will pitch in Game 2 while Dan Haren is lined up to start Game 4 if necessary.
After an impressive rookie season in the majors, Ryu mostly duplicated that success this season, posting a 3.38 ERA and 139/29 in 152 innings over 26 starts.
