SAN DIEGO -- The Dodgers set their starting rotation through Labor Day, with Hyun-jin Ryu set to be activated from the disabled list to start the series finale against the Padres, manager Don Mattingly said on Friday.
Ryu has been sidelined since straining a buttocks muscle in a start in Atlanta on Aug. 13. Ryu threw a two-inning simulated game on Wednesday to prepare for Sunday's start. Mattingly said the only way that plan would change is if Ryu had a setback from running.
But the plan is Ryu on Sunday against the Padres, then Roberto Hernandez and Clayton Kershaw on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, against the Nationals. Mattingly cited matchup numbers as playing a factor in his decision to start Ryu Sunday.
Ryu is 3-0 with an 0.71 ERA in four career starts against San Diego, with 25 strikeouts and five walks in 25⅓ innings. Three of those starts have come this season, with Ryu allowing one total run in 19 innings.
Hernandez is 3-1 with a 1.19 ERA in four career starts against the Nationals, with 16 strikeouts and six walks in 30⅓ innings. This season Hernandez is 2-0 against Washington and has allowed only one unearned run in 15⅓ innings.
Both Hernandez and Kershaw will make their next start with five days rest.
By activating Ryu on Aug. 31, the Dodgers will need to make a corresponding roster move to make room for Ryu, which likely means Pedro Baez or Carlos Frias will be optioned to the minors. But whoever gets optioned will be back by Tuesday, with minor league seasons set to end on Monday, not subject to the normal minimum 10-day optional assignment.