By Jon Weisman
With his second Dodger season behind him, Hyun-Jin Ryu returned early today to Seoul, where he was greeted by approximately 150 reporters and 1,000 fans in person and a live TV audience.
Martin Kim, the Dodgers’ international partnerships account director who doubles as Ryu’s translator here, noted that Ryu received a full security and military escort to his residence. Kim also passed along these Ryu quotes from the Korean press.
“Overall it was a good year, but unfortunate I missed many starts due to my injuries,” Ryu said. “My offseason goal will be to stay in shape. I’m already focusing on next season.”
Injuries limited Ryu, who turns 28 in March, to 152 innings in the 2014 regular season after he threw 192 in 2013.
“My goal next season is to pitch close to 200 innings. I’ve done that consistently during my professional career, and this was the first time it was low due to injury. I will start working this offseason so I can get my inning count up for next season.”
Ryu added that he will also work on the new slider he picked up this season.
oldbrooklynfan
The regular season left nothing to regret, but it will be good to have a healthier Ryu.