Dodgers put Hyun-Jin Ryu on disabled list; call up Figgins, Dominguez

It could be just coincidence that the Dodgers opened the season early in Australia and their two starting pitchers were soon after headed to the disabled list, but then maybe not.

Hyun-Jin Ryu joined Clayton Kershaw on the disabled list Friday, the Dodgers placing him on the 15-day DL because of left shoulder inflammation.

Kershaw has been on the DL since winning the season opener with an upper back strain but is expected to be activated early next week.

The Dodgers also optioned reliever Paco Rodriguez back to triple-A Albuquerque and called up right-hander Jose Dominguez and infielder Chone Figgins. Rodriguez had thrown 48 pitches in the last two days.

Ryu has made seven starts for the Dodgers this season, going 3-2 with a 3.00 earned-run average. He struggled in his last outing (five innings, nine hits, five earned runs), however, and his velocity appeared down.

Manager Don Mattingly told reporters in Miami they did not believe the Ryu injury was serious, and since no MRI exam is currently scheduled, it at least doesn’t appear to be. Ryu told reporters he had the same issue three years ago, rested for 10 days and it went away.

The Dodgers are left in need of a starter for Sunday, so the Dominguez stay could be temporary. Someone is going to have to be called up from the minors to start.