Trainer Checking on Ryu at Turner Field in Atlanta Georgia
Today, Hyun-jin Ryu was starting for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a game with the Atlanta Braves. After pitching 5 and 2/3 innings the pitcher called to his trainer and expressed that he had some serious pains in his right thigh. Don Mattingly, the Dodgers' manager brought his pitcher off the mound to prevent further more serious injury.
The Korean pitcher that surprised baseball fans all over the nation was not able to show his best performance in today's game. Before he was replaced, Ryu had struck out 7 and allowed the Braves' batters 6 hits and earned 3 runs. As a result the Dodgers lost 3 to 2, the batting lineup being unable to score more runs after losing a crucial full-base opportunity in the bottom 9th inning through a game-ending double play.
Many have expressed great concerns regarding what will happen to the Dodgers' starting lineup after Ryu's unexpected hamstring injury. The LA Times expressed that the Dodgers losing a game to the Braves is not something to panic about, but one of their best pitchers being unable to play is a serious problem for the ball club.
The Dodgers announced on their website that Ryu will continue to travel with the rest of the team until the 15th. The next day he will return to Los Angeles where he will receive an MRI scan.
LA baseball fans are now wondering how serious is Ryu's injury and when will be the next time they will see him on the mound. Sports columnists and mlb.com expressed that Ryu will certainly have to sit out his next start. They also reported that Mattingly is currently considering Kevin Correia, a pitcher who was brought into the Dodgers from the Minnesota Twins to fill in for Ryu on the 20th against the San Diego Padres.
The Dodgers already have several of their key pitchers on the DL including Josh Beckett. If Ryu is also removed from the lineup it might seriously hurt their chances to advance on to the play offs.
