Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin says `No Pain`

LA Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin (photo) took the first step toward his return. Ryu threw a bullpen session including long tosses at Petco Park in San Diego on Sunday.

The KLAC reporter David Vassegh said, “Ryu threw 90 balls including a bullpen session and long tosses for the first time since his shoulder injury. Manager Don Mattingly told me that Ryu said he felt no pain after throwing balls.” “Ryu plans to throw another bullpen session on Tuesday. He is on the right track to return to the team,” said the Dodger’s radio reporter. Dylan Hernandez, the Dodgers beat writer for the local daily Los Angeles Times, posted on Twitter that Ryu threw 20 fast balls. This refers to the ‘restricted bullpen session’ mentioned by Mattingly on the previous day. It aims to check Ryu’s shoulder condition by throwing fast balls only.

“Ryu has never pitched on the mound after he was injured. But he throws where he wants. It`s like he hasn`t missed a beat,” said Dodgers manager Mattingly. Although it was a restricted bullpen session, Ryu threw on the mound in 40 days after the exhibition game with Texas on March 18. Remaining task for Ryu is how to make his shoulder strong in preparation to return to the regular season.