Dodgers' Ryu earns rotation spot

Following Hyun-Jin Ryu's spring start on Monday, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts informed the press that the left-hander had earned a spot in the rotation.

Ryu, who has had a standout spring, has earned what is most likely the fourth spot in the Dodgers' rotation behind Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, and Rich Hill. Over four spring starts, Ryu allowed just four earned runs on 10 hits and one walk over 14 innings pitched.

Beyond Ryu, it appears the fifth spot is still a competition between Brandon McCarthy and Alex Wood. Roberts told Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times that both McCarthy and Wood would make the roster, but that only one will make the rotation.

The 30-year-old has only pitched 4 2/3 innings over the past two seasons, sitting all of 2015 out with an assortment of injuries to his back and throwing arm. After eventually having surgery on his left shoulder, Ryu made just the one start in 2016, allowing six earned runs on eight hits and two walks. He was shut down promptly following that performance and went for another surgery - this time on his left elbow.

When healthy, however, Ryu has proven himself to be a valuable starter. Over the 2013 and 2014 campaigns, he amassed 344 innings, posting a 3.17 ERA and 2.97 FIP. Only six starters in baseball allowed fewer home runs per nine innings than Ryu over that time frame. He's entering the fifth year of a six-year deal with the Dodgers and is still owed $14 million.

Given the Dodgers' schedule to begin the season, in all likelihood, Ryu will see his first start against the San Diego Padres. Ryu is 4-1 against the NL West rival, having allowed nine earned runs on 29 hits and seven walks over 37 innings pitched while striking out 36.