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Dodgers’ Hyun-Jin Ryu has elbow surgery, should be ready to pitch in 2017

Hyun-Jin Ryu had surgery to remove damaged tissue in his left elbow last year during his setback-laden attempt to return from shoulder surgery.
(Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu underwent an arthroscopic left elbow debridement to clean out the damaged tissue in the area on Wednesday. The operation was performed by Neal ElAttrache and the team indicated Ryu will be ready to pitch in 2017.

But the Dodgers also declared Ryu capable of pitching in 2016, after he missed the entirety of 2015 because of labrum surgery. Ryu made only one appearance, a disastrous outing against San Diego on July 7. After giving up six runs in less than five innings and failing to maintain his fastball velocity, Ryu returned to the disabled list.

He has remained there for the rest of the season. Ryu posted a 3.17 earned-run average through 56 starts in 2013 and 2014. He is still under contract at an affordable rate through 2018. But there are still doubts about his ability to reclaim his old form.

The Dodgers allowed Ryu to pitch in a simulated game last week at Dodger Stadium. The intended goal was to end his season on a high note. Instead, he will end the year on an operating table.

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Justin Turner gets day off

Manager Dave Roberts chose to sit third baseman Justin Turner for Wednesday’s game against San Diego. He started Howie Kendrick at third base. Roberts wanted to give Turner a break before he appeared in the final four games of the season.

Roberts indicated that the decision was not caused by the contusion on Turner’s right hand, which has bothered him for the last two weeks. Turner entered Wednesday’s game with an .847 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in September despite the ailment.

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“That’s something he’s going to have to manage every day,” Roberts said. “He and the training staff are doing a great job. I think there’s always some soreness, and if gets [pitched inside] it can get a little sensitive. But JT’s tough. He’ll find a way to get through it.”

andy.mccullough@latimes.com

Twitter: @McCulloughTimes

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