By Baek Byung-yeul

Ryu Hyun-jin





A U.S. baseball analysis website predicted that the Los Angeles Korean starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin would pitch less than 100 innings this season.

According to FanGrahps, Wednesday, (local time), the 29-year-old lefty, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation from elbow surgery, would record an ERA of 3.99 with 73 strike outs and 20 walks in 17 games while throwing 90 1/3 innings.

The assessment was made by "ZiPS," an analytical projection developed by ESPN's Dan Szymborski. Based on past performances and aging trends, ZiPS comes up with player projections. Though it is not an official projection by Major League Baseball, ZiPS is "widely regarded as one of the most accurate predictions in the industry," according to MLB.com. The site also said Ryu's top comparable player is former Dodgers pitcher Odalis Perez, who recorded 73 wins and 82 losses with an ERA of 4.46 in 10 seasons.

After completing an illustrious seven-year career with Hanwha Eagles in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), Ryu signed a six-year, $36 million deal with the Dodgers before the 2013 season. He earned 14 wins in each of his first two seasons but missed the entire 2015 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

After making eight minor league rehab starts last year, Ryu returned to the major league mound on July 7 against the San Diego Padres, but crumbled after surrendering eight hits in only 4 2/3 innings. That was his last game last year as he underwent a left elbow debridement procedure in September.

According to his agency, Ryu is currently in Japan for spring training.