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Hyun-Jin Ryu continues making progress toward playoff return

Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu has been sidelined for more than two weeks with a sore pitching shoulder.
(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu took a break from his pregame dominoes game Saturday afternoon to play catch in the outfield, giving Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly hope the 14-game winner will be able to start Game 3 of the National League division series Monday, Oct. 6.

“Every time he crosses a hurdle you get more confident,” Mattingly said of Ryu, who hasn’t pitched in a game in more two weeks because of shoulder inflammation. “He was able to throw yesterday with a little pop on the ball. Didn’t have any problem today.

“So every time that happens, we cross a hurdle, you feel better.”

Ryu, who threw 20 pitches in a truncated bullpen session Friday, is expected to have a full bullpen session Sunday morning. Also scheduled to throw Sunday is 21-game winner Clayton Kershaw, who will pitch a short simulated game. Mattingly said he thought Kershaw would throw two innings.

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“A little more than probably a bullpen and a little less than a game,” he said

As for Ryu, he made two trips to the disabled list during the regular season and came back quickly each time. His manager is expecting the same in the postseason.

“His delivery gives us confidence that he can go out and throw strikes and compete right away. Because he showed us that,” Mattingly said. “He bounced right back, threw a little sim game and he was ready to go. So that’s what gives us confidence. The fact that his delivery is so simple, he seems to throw the ball where he wants and is not such a creature of habit.”

Ryu may have other duties to attend to Sunday afternoon. With the Dodgers playing their final regular-season game, Mattingly plans to let infielder Juan Uribe manage the team. Kershaw is supposed to serve as his pitching coach, while Ryu may be the bullpen coach.

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