Dodgers place Hyun-Jin Ryu on IL in flurry of roster moves

DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 31: Starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 31, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 31: Starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 31, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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The Dodgers made a flurry of roster moves today and the biggest surprise was placing Hyun-Jin Ryu on the injured list. Ryu has neck soreness.

Prior to Dustin May’s debut on Friday, the Dodgers made a flurry of roster moves. The team placed Hyun-Jin Ryu on the IL with neck soreness, while adding Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin to the active roster.  To make room for Gonsolin, the IL move was necessary since Gonsolin was on the active roster as recently as Tuesday.

Dylan Floro was optioned to AAA Oklahoma City to make room on the roster for Dustin May who is making his MLB debut tonight.  It remains to be seen if Floro being optioned is just to get a fresh arm up or if the Dodgers are considering Tony Gonsolin for their postseason roster.  Tony last pitched on Tuesday at Coors Field, allowing just one run over four innings while earning his first career save.

Floro last pitched in Thursday’s game which is why this is most likely a temporary move to get another arm up in the bullpen.  For Hyun-Jin Ryu, this appears to be a move so he can get a break before ramping back up for the postseason.  It would be very surprising if Ryu stayed on the IL past ten days and the move is retroactive to August 1st.

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After making no big trades at the deadline, Andrew Friedman and the front office seem to be placing their trust in the young talent the Dodgers possess. Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May are two of the latest additions after the Dodgers have already seen Alex Verdugo, Matt Beaty, and Will Smith make a big impact in 2019.

Gonsolin and May both give Dave Roberts plenty of options for the postseason.  Both are starting pitchers but could shift to relief roles in order to shore up LA’s bullpen for October.  Both pitchers have wipeout stuff and could be difference-makers in whatever role the Dodgers see fit. With Ryu, Rich Hill, and Ross Stripling all on the IL, it’s possible that Gonsolin could be placed in the rotation next.

The current rotation includes Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Dustin May, and Kenta Maeda.  Julio Urias started a bullpen game for the Dodgers earlier this week but he is better off as a reliever this season in order to preserve innings for the postseason.  Urias has already shown he can have a big impact out of the bullpen.

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The Dodgers continue to use their big division lead to their advantage with the latest benefit being resting pitchers on the IL.  In return, the club is able to see what they have in young starters such as Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin.  Let the battles for the postseason roster spots begin.