Dodgers are hopeful that Hyun-Jin Ryu will be back before All-Star break

Reporting from PITTSBURGH â€”  Hyun-Jin Ryu could rejoin the Dodgers before the All-Star break on July 10, and fellow rehabbing starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy is not far behind, Manager Dave Roberts said before Friday’s 8-6 loss to the Pirates.

Ryu will likely be evaluated as a candidate for the big league roster after making one more rehabilitation start. McCarthy is slightly behind him, and could require two outings.

As the pitchers approach big league readiness, the scrutiny on their minor league rehab outings will only increase. Ryu gave up eight runs, three unearned, in a four-inning outing for triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday. Roberts saw positives in the pillorying, as Ryu built his pitch count to 77 and raised his fastball velocity to 90 mph.

“I think that the command obviously needs to be cleaned up to get better,� Roberts said. “But for us, it’s more about how he comes out of it, how he feels. Just seeing the increase in velocity is a good thing.�

Ryu’s fastball sat around 86 mph in his previous start for Class A Rancho Cucamonga. He has not pitched in the majors since 2014. He missed the 2015 season because of surgery to fix a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Ryu required two weeks off after experiencing soreness in his arm in late May. In his last three outings, he has allowed minor league hitters to bat .327 against him.

“As he gets closer to coming off [the disabled list], you’ve got to get guys out,� Roberts said. “We’ve got to feel good that he can execute pitches and repeat his delivery, and also feel good about where he’s at.�

McCarthy threw 61 pitches in 3 2/3 innings for Oklahoma City on Wednesday. His fastball velocity resided around 93 mph, Roberts said.

McCarthy underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery in April 2015. He is in the second season of a four-year, $48-million contract.

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