View source for Hyun-jin Ryu

{{short description|Korean baseball player (born 1987)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{western name order|Ryu Hyun-jin}}
{{family name hatnote|Ryu|lang=Korean}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name        = Hyun-jin Ryu
|image       = Hyun-Jin Ryu 2013.jpg
|image_size  = 280
|caption     = Ryu with the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] in 2013
|team        = Hanwha Eagles
|number      = 99
|position    = [[Pitcher]]
|birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1987|3|25}}
|birth_place = [[Incheon]], [[South Korea]]
|bats        = Right
|throws      = Left
|debutleague = KBO
|debutdate   = April 12
|debutyear   = 2006
|debutteam   = Hanwha Eagles
|debut2league= MLB
|debut2date  = April 2
|debut2year  = 2013
|debut2team  = Los Angeles Dodgers
<!-- |final2date  = September 30
|fina2lyear  = 2023
|final2team  = Toronto Blue Jays -->
|statleague  = KBO
|statyear    = 2024 season
|stat1label  = [[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value  = 108–60
|stat2label  = [[Earned run average]]
|stat2value  = 2.92
|stat3label  = [[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value  = 1,373
|stat2year   = 2023 season
|stat2league = MLB
|stat21label = Win–loss record
|stat21value = 78–48
|stat22label = Earned run average
|stat22value = 3.27
|stat23label = Strikeouts
|stat23value = 934
|teams       =
* [[Hanwha Eagles]] ({{Baseball year|2006}}–{{Baseball year|2012}})
* [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] ({{mlby|2013}}–{{mlby|2014}}, {{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2019}})
* [[Toronto Blue Jays]] ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2023}})
* [[Hanwha Eagles]] ({{baseball year|2024}}–present)
|awards      = 
'''KBO'''
* [[KBO League|Korean]] [[Triple crown (baseball)|Triple Crown]]  (2006)
* 7× [[KBO League|KBO All-Star]] (2006–2012)
* KBO [[Most valuable player|MVP]] (2006)
* KBO [[Rookie of the Year (award)|Rookie of the Year]] (2006)
* 2× [[KBO League Golden Glove Award|KBO Golden Glove Award]] (2006, 2010)
* 5× KBO strikeout champion (2006–2007, 2009–2010, 2012)
* 2× KBO ERA champion (2006, 2010)
'''MLB'''
*  [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2019]])
* 2× [[All-MLB Team|All-MLB Second Team]] (2019, 2020)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders|MLB ERA leader]] (2019)
|show-medals=no
|medaltemplates=
{{MedalSport | Men's [[baseball]] }}
{{Medal|Country | {{bb|KOR}} }}
{{MedalCompetition | [[World Baseball Classic]]}}
{{MedalSilver| [[2009 World Baseball Classic|2009 Los Angeles]] | Team }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Baseball at the Summer Olympics|Olympics]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]]|[[Baseball at the 2008 Summer Olympics|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition |[[Baseball at the Asian Games|Asian Games]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[2006 Asian Games|2006 Doha]]| Team }}
{{MedalGold| [[2010 Asian Games|2010 Guangzhou]]| Team }}
}}
{{Infobox Korean name/auto
| hangul = %류현진
| hanja = 柳賢振
}}

'''Hyun-jin Ryu''' ({{korean|hangul=류현진|hanja=柳賢振}}; {{IPA|ko|ɾju.çʌndʑin}}; born March 25, 1987) is a [[Baseball in South Korea|South Korean]] professional [[baseball]] [[pitcher]] for the [[Hanwha Eagles]] of the [[KBO League]]. He has also played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] and [[Toronto Blue Jays]].

In 2013, after spending seven seasons with the  Eagles, he became the first player from the KBO to join an MLB team via the [[Posting system (KBO)|posting system]]. During the [[2018 World Series]], Ryu became the first Korean pitcher to start in a [[World Series]] game. In 2019, Ryu earned a selection to his first career [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game]]. During that season, he led the Majors in [[earned run average]] (ERA) and achieved an ERA of 1.26 through his first 14 starts, the lowest by a Dodgers pitcher since the statistic became official in 1912.<ref name="b629">{{cite web | last=Moreno | first=Matthew | title=Hyun-Jin Ryu Overtakes Don Drysdale For Lowest ERA By Dodgers Pitcher Through 14 Starts | website=Dodger Blue | date=June 17, 2019 | url=https://dodgerblue.com/hyun-jin-ryu-lowest-era-dodgers-pitcher-through-14-starts-season-don-drysdale/2019/06/17/ | access-date=January 25, 2025}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Ryu was born in [[Incheon|Incheon, South Korea]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carroll |first1=Rory |title=Dodgers' Ryu hopes to add World Series glory to Olympic gold |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baseball-mlb-bos-lad-ryu/dodgers-ryu-hopes-to-add-world-series-glory-to-olympic-gold-idUSKCN1MY07I |access-date=May 13, 2019 |work=Reuters |date=October 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Baseball stadium in Incheon to be named after Ryu |url=http://www.koreatimesus.com/baseball-stadium-in-incheon-to-be-named-after-ryu/ |access-date=May 13, 2019 |work=[[The Korea Times (Los Angeles)|The Korea Times]] |date=November 21, 2013}}</ref> on March 25, 1987, and attended Incheon's Dongsan High School.<ref name="kbo17ks">{{cite news |title=Eagles ace sets record with 17 strike-outs |url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2920365 |access-date=May 13, 2019 |work=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]] |date=May 13, 2019}}</ref> He is working towards a [[master's degree]] in community physical education in [[Daejeon University]].{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} When Ryu was 10, his father bought him a lefthander's glove that goes on the right hand, so Ryu learned to pitch with his left hand.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hernandez |first1=Dylan |title=Newcomer Hyun-Jin Ryu seems all right to Dodgers |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2013-feb-20-la-sp-dodgers-ryu-20130220-story.html |access-date=May 13, 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 20, 2013}}</ref>

==Career==

===Amateur===
In 2004, Ryu underwent [[Tommy John surgery]] and did not pitch in any official games.<ref name="bookngryu"/> In 2005, he led his team to the Blue Dragon Open National High School Championship, pitching 22 consecutive scoreless innings as the team's ace<ref name="bookngryu"/> and batting .389 in the tournament. He was named Best Pitcher.

In 2005, Ryu was selected for the South Korea national junior team that was runner-up in the 6th Asian Junior Baseball Championship in [[Seoul]], South Korea. Ryu started the semifinal match against Chinese Taipei ([[Taiwan]]), and helped his team reach the final, recording ten strikeouts and giving up one unearned run on four hits in six innings. During the competition, he pitched {{frac|8|1|3}} innings with 14 strikeouts, and gave up an unearned run on five hits in three games (one start).

He competed at the 60th National High School Baseball Championship in 2005, when as a third-year student in high school. In the game against Seongnam High School in the quarterfinals, he pitched a shutout, striking out 17.

===Hanwha Eagles (2006–2012)===
In July 2005, Ryu was selected by the [[Hanwha Eagles]] as the 1st pick in the second round of the 2006 [[KBO League]] Draft, and made his professional debut on April 12, 2006. In his [[rookie]] year of 2006, Ryu finished with an 18–6 win–loss record, a 2.23 ERA and 205 strikeouts in 201.2 innings pitched. He earned the pitching [[Major League Baseball Triple Crown|Triple Crown]], and was eventually named both Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year. He became the only player in KBO history to win both the Rookie of the Year award and the MVP award in the same season.<ref name="bookngryu">{{cite book |editor1-last=Gmelch |editor1-first=George |editor2-last=Nathan |editor2-first=Daniel A. |title=Baseball Beyond Our Borders: An International Pastime |date=2017 |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |isbn=9780803276826 |page=203 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i50nDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA203}}</ref><ref name=MVP>Kwon Ji-youn. [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2014/11/136_168362.html "Seo Geon-chang named MVP,"] ''Korea Times'' (November 18, 2014).</ref>

In the 2006 season, at the age of 19, he became the first Korean player to win the Rookie of the Year and MVP at the same time in 25 years, and the second pitcher to win the Triple Crown after Sun Dong-yeol.<ref>{{Cite web |title=韓國職棒年度三振王 - 台灣棒球維基館 |url=https://twbsball.dils.tku.edu.tw/wiki/index.php?title=%E9%9F%93%E5%9C%8B%E8%81%B7%E6%A3%92%E5%B9%B4%E5%BA%A6%E4%B8%89%E6%8C%AF%E7%8E%8B |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=twbsball.dils.tku.edu.tw}}</ref>

In 2006, he became the first Korean pitcher to participate in the Doha Asian Games since Lotte Giants Joo Hyung-kwang in 1996, with 18 wins, 6 losses, 204 strikeouts and a 2.23 ERA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=柳賢振 - 台灣棒球維基館 |url=https://twbsball.dils.tku.edu.tw/wiki/index.php?title=%E6%9F%B3%E8%B3%A2%E6%8C%AF |access-date=September 29, 2024 |website=twbsball.dils.tku.edu.tw}}</ref>

In August 2008, Ryu competed for the [[South Korea national baseball team]] in the [[2008 Summer Olympics]], where they won the gold medal in the baseball tournament. In the team's third game of round-robin play, Ryu pitched a 1–0 complete-game shutout victory over [[Canada national baseball team|Canada]], giving up five hits. In the gold medal game against [[Cuba national baseball team|Cuba]], he pitched 8{{frac|1|3}} innings, allowing two earned runs in a 3–2 victory.

In March 2009, he represented the [[South Korea national baseball team]] in the [[2009 World Baseball Classic]], where the team was the runner-up to the eventual champion, Japan. In 2010, Ryu played in the [[2010 Asian Games]], where the [[South Korea national baseball team]] won the gold medal in baseball. On May 11, 2010, Ryu became the first pitcher in history to strike out 17 batters in a nine-inning game, against the [[LG Twins]] at [[Cheongju Baseball Stadium|Cheongju Sports Complex Baseball Stadium]].<ref name="kbo17ks"/>

In 2012, Ryu finished with a 2.66 ERA and 210 strikeouts, but earned only a 9–9 win–loss record and ten [[Decision (baseball)|no decisions]]. Ryu repeatedly expressed his desire to play in the United States for [[Major League Baseball]] and scouts from many MLB teams visited Korea to see Ryu's pitching. Finally, on October 29, 2012, the Eagles announced that Ryu would be [[Posting system|posted]] as early as November 1, 2012, to allow MLB teams to bid for the rights to negotiate with him.

===Los Angeles Dodgers (2013–2019)===
On November 9, 2012, the Eagles accepted the reported bid of $25.7M from the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], giving them a 30-day period to try to negotiate a contract with Ryu. On December 9, he was signed to a six-year, $36 million deal, that included the option to [[opt out]] after the 5th year if certain performance benchmarks were reached (750 innings pitched by year 5, an average of 150 innings/year).<ref>{{cite web |last=Gurnick |first=Ken |url=http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121209&content_id=40590060&vkey=news_la&c_id=la |title=Dodgers reach agreement with starter Ryu |website=[[Dodgers.MLB.com]] |date=December 10, 2012 |access-date=October 12, 2013 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014141808/http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121209&content_id=40590060&vkey=news_la&c_id=la |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====2013====
[[File:Hyun-Jin Ryu Dodger Stadium April 2013.jpg|thumb|left|255px|Ryu pitching at Dodger Stadium in April 2013.]]

On March 17, 2013, Ryu recorded his first win as a Dodger, albeit, in a spring training game on St. Patrick's Day. He allowed just one run in {{frac|5|2|3}} innings, and retired the final 11 men he faced. He struck out six and allowed just five to reach base.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dodgers spring training 2013: Adrian Gonzalez, Hyun-jin Ryu shine in win over Brewers|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2013/3/17/4116650/dodgers-spring-training-2013-adrian-gonzalez-hyun-jin-ryu-andre-ethier/in/3879425|access-date=March 17, 2013|work=TrueblueLA.com}}</ref>

Ryu made his Major League Baseball debut in a start against the [[San Francisco Giants]] on April 2, 2013. He allowed 10 hits in 6.1 innings but only one earned run.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_04_02_sfnmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=la|title=Giants vs. Dodgers – 04/02/13|website=MLB.com|access-date=April 3, 2013|archive-date=April 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406012813/http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_04_02_sfnmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=la|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ryu picked up his first Major League win on April 7 over the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_04_07_pitmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=la|title=Pirates vs. Dodgers – 04/07/13|website=MLB.com|access-date=April 8, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050858/http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_04_07_pitmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=la|url-status=dead}}</ref> On April 13 against the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]], he recorded his first major league hit with a double in the third inning. He wound up 3 for 3 at the plate in the game, the first Dodgers pitcher to get three hits in a game since [[Randy Wolf]] in [[2009 Los Angeles Dodgers season|2009]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2013/4/13/4222170/hyun-jin-ryu-dodgers-diamondbacks|title=Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 5|date=April 13, 2013}}</ref> This game was also his 100th career win, in South Korea and the U.S. combined.<ref>{{cite web|title=류현진, 대망의 한미 통산 100승까지 걸어온 길|date=April 14, 2013|url=http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1109575776|publisher=OSEN|access-date=April 14, 2013}}</ref>

On May 1, 2013, Ryu pitched six innings against the [[Colorado Rockies]] and struck out 12 batters, his highest strikeout count in an MLB game so far.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ryu Hyun-jin strikes out 12 in 6 innings |url=http://xportsnews.hankyung.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=322162 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616001316/http://xportsnews.hankyung.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=322162 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |access-date=May 12, 2013 |newspaper=Xports sports }}</ref>

On May 28, 2013, Ryu pitched a complete-game shutout against the [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]], striking out seven batters, walking none, and conceding only two hits. It was the first shutout in Ryu's MLB career and the first shutout for a Korean-born pitcher since [[Chan Ho Park]] and [[Sun-woo Kim]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stephen |first=Eric |date=May 28, 2013 |title=Hyun-jin Ryu shuts out Angels in signature performance |url=http://www.truebluela.com/2013/5/28/4374498/hyun-jin-ryu-shutout-dodgers-angels |access-date=May 30, 2013 |work=SB Nation}}</ref> In 30 starts with the Dodgers in 2013, Ryu was 14–8 with a 3.00 ERA. He was selected by [[Baseball America]] to their annual "All-Rookie team".<ref>{{cite web|title=2013 Major League All-Rookie Team|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/2013-major-league-all-rookie-team/|work=Baseball America.com|first=Matt|last=Eddy|date=October 3, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Hyun jin Ryu 2013 NLDS.jpg|thumb|255px|Ryu pitching in October 2013.]]
On October 6, 2013, Ryu became the first South Korean to serve as the starting pitcher of a [[Major League Baseball postseason]] game.<ref>[http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20131007000608 Ryu Hyun-jin gets no-decision in first big league postseason start]. ''Korean Herald''. October 7, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2013.</ref>

====2014====
In his first start of the 2014 season in Sydney, Australia, Ryu held the D-backs scoreless in five innings of work.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ryu again proves too much for D-backs to handle|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_04_11_lanmlb_arimlb_1&mode=box#gid=2014_04_11_lanmlb_arimlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=ari|access-date=April 12, 2014}}</ref> He proceeded to start 26 games for the Dodgers in 2014, despite missing time with various injuries. He finished 14–7 with a 3.38 ERA.

====2015====
Ryu began spring training with optimism that he would be able to pitch a career high 200 innings in 2015. However, he was shut down early in camp with back tightness, though he said he was not concerned by it.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-20150226-story.html|title=Back tightness sidelines Dodgers' Hyun-Jin Ryu, but he's not worried|newspaper=LA Times|first=Dylan|last=Hernandez|date=February 25, 2015|access-date=May 19, 2015}}</ref>  When he started throwing again he experienced a sore shoulder and the Dodgers decided to shut him down for two weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/25/sports/baseball/dodgers-ryu-to-rest-shoulder.html|title=Dodgers' Ryu to Rest Shoulder|work=NY Times|agency=Associated Press|date=March 25, 2015|access-date=May 19, 2015}}</ref> Despite report that Ryu was  pain free in April, the Dodgers took precautions and placed him on the 60-day disabled list on May 4 in view of his  sporadic shoulder pain during the previous season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20150419/dodgers-hyun-jin-ryus-shoulder-pain-free-timetable-uncertain|title=Dodgers' Hyun-Jin Ryu's shoulder pain-free, timetable uncertain|work=LA Daily News|first=JP|last=Hoornstra|date=April 19, 2015|access-date=May 19, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/122299228/dodgers-move-hyun-jin-ryu-to-60-day-dl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506210613/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/122299228/dodgers-move-hyun-jin-ryu-to-60-day-dl|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2015|title=Ryu moved to 60-day DL|work=mlb.com|first=Ken|last=Gurnick|date=May 4, 2015|access-date=May 19, 2015}}</ref> The Dodgers noted a lack of velocity in his bullpen session soon afterwards,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2015/5/6/8564023/hyun-jin-ryu-setback-shoulder-dodger-rotation|title=Hyun-jin Ryu has setback in rehab from shoulder injury|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=May 6, 2015|access-date=May 19, 2015}}</ref> and Ryu decided to have a surgery on his shoulder to alleviate the problem.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/12914895/hyun-jin-ryu-los-angeles-dodgers-opts-shoulder-surgery|title=Dodgers' Hyun-Jin Ryu to have surgery, may be lost for season|work=ESPN.com|first=Mark|last=Saxon|date=May 19, 2015|access-date=May 19, 2015}}</ref> On May 21, Ryu had a surgery to repair his left shoulder labrum and ended his chances of pitching during the 2015 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2015/05/21/hyun-jin-ryu-has-his-left-shoulder-labrum-repaired-wont-return-until-2016/|title=Hyun-Jin Ryu has his left shoulder labrum repaired, won't return until 2016.|first=JP|last=Hoornstra|work=LA Daily News|date=May 21, 2015|access-date=May 21, 2015}}</ref>

====2016====
Ryu eventually rejoined the Dodgers on July 7, 2016, and started against the [[San Diego Padres]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dodgers.mlblogs.com/2016/07/07/dodgers-activate-hyun-jin-ryu-call-up-carlos-frias/|title=Dodgers activate Hyun-Jin Ryu, call up Carlos Frias|work=Dodgers.com|first=Jon|last=Weisman|date=July 7, 2016|access-date=July 7, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711102044/http://dodgers.mlblogs.com/2016/07/07/dodgers-activate-hyun-jin-ryu-call-up-carlos-frias/|archive-date=July 11, 2016}}</ref> He allowed eight hits, four of them for extra bases in 4{{fraction|2|3}} innings of a 6–0 loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-padres-20160707-snap-story.html|title=Hyun-Jin Ryu returns for Dodgers, but his velocity is lacking in loss to Padres, 6–0|first=Andy|last=McCullough|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 7, 2016|access-date=July 31, 2016}}</ref> However, he reported elbow discomfort after the game and was placed back on the disabled list.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.truebluela.com/2016/7/19/12228186/hyun-jin-ryu-elbow-discomfort-out-indefinitely|title=Hyun-jin Ryu scratched from Wednesday start, out indefinitely with reported elbow discomfort|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=July 19, 2016|access-date=July 31, 2016|work=SB Nation}}</ref> On September 28, he underwent debridement surgery on his left elbow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidesocal.com/dodgers/2016/09/28/hyun-jin-ryu-has-debridement-procedure-on-left-elbow/|title=Hyun-Jin Ryu has debridement procedure on left elbow|work=LA Daily News|first=J.P.|last=Hoornstra|date=September 28, 2016|access-date=September 28, 2016}}</ref>

====2017====
After losing his first four decisions of the season, Ryu picked up his first major league win since the 2014 season on April 30, 2017, in a 5–3 win against the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/hyun-jin-ryu-dodgers-beat-phillies-for-sweep-c227494968|title=Dodgers sweep away Phils behind HRs, Ryu|last=Gurnick|first=Ken and Todd Zolecki|work=mlb.com|date=April 30, 2017|access-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref> On May 25, he pitched four scoreless innings out of the bullpen to pick up his first major league save in a 7–4 win against the [[St. Louis Cardinals]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kenta-maeda-s-arm-bat-lead-dodgers-past-cards-c232410420|title=Maeda a dual threat as Dodgers top Cards|last=Landosch|first=Jenifer and Joshua Thornton|work=mlb.com|date=May 26, 2017|access-date=May 26, 2017}}</ref> Ryu made 24 starts in 2017 for the Dodgers (and one relief appearance) and was 5–9 with a 3.77 ERA, 116 strikeouts and 45 walks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryuhy01.shtml|title=Hyun-jin Ryu Baseball Statistics & History|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref>

====2018====
Ryu began the season 3–0 with a 2.12 ERA in 6 starts before landing on the disabled list with a groin injury. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list on June 2, 2018.  Overall, Ryu made 15 starts with the team, going 7–3 with 1.97 ERA, posting 85 strikeouts and 15 walks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/2018.shtml|title=2018 Los Angeles Dodgers Statistics|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=October 29, 2018}}</ref> On October 24, 2018, Ryu became the first Korean pitcher to start in a [[World Series]] game when he started in [[2018 World Series#Game 2|Game 2]] of the series at Fenway Park in Boston.<ref>[https://www.huffpost.com/entry/meet-the-first-korean-pitcher-to-start-in-a-world-series-game_n_5bd22804e4b055bc948a0338 Meet The First Korean Pitcher To Start In A World Series Game]. ''HuffPost.'' October 26, 2018.</ref> Ryu became a free agent after the season, but accepted the Dodgers one-year, $17.9 million, qualifying offer to remain with the club for 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/draft-picks-for-2018-19-qualifying-offers/c-300535882|title=Ryu only player to accept qualifying offer|work=mlb.com|first=Matt|last=Kelly|date=November 12, 2018|access-date=November 12, 2018}}</ref>

====2019====
Ryu was named the Dodgers opening day starter for the [[2019 Los Angeles Dodgers season|2019 season]] after injuries to [[Clayton Kershaw]] and [[Rich Hill (pitcher)|Rich Hill]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-rich-hill-dodgers-20190322-story.html|title=Dodgers' Rich Hill dealing with strained MCL; Hyun-Jin Ryu will start opening day|newspaper=LA Times|first=Jorge|last=Castillo|date=March 22, 2019|access-date=March 22, 2019}}</ref> On May 7, 2019, Ryu pitched his second career complete-game shutout against the [[Atlanta Braves]].  He struck out six, walked none, and gave up four hits in the 9–0 victory.  In his next start against the [[Washington Nationals]] on May 12, 2019, he had a no-hit bid before giving a double to [[Gerardo Parra]] in the eighth inning with one out.  He finished the game with 8 innings pitched, struck out nine, walked one, and gave up that one hit in a 6–0 win against the [[Washington Nationals]]. His two pitching performances earned him [[NL Player of the Week]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/ryu-fiers-springer-player-of-week|title=Ryu, Fiers, Springer earn POTW honors|website=MLB.com|access-date=June 9, 2019}}</ref> He followed this performance with 7 shutout innings against the [[Cincinnati Reds]] on May 19, 2019, extending his streak of consecutive scoreless innings pitched to 31. This streak is tied for the tenth longest in Dodgers' history and is 28 fewer than the team record of 59 set by [[Orel Hershiser]] in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-hyun-jin-ryu-scoreless-streak-31-reds-orel-hershiser-20190519-story.html|title=Hyun-Jin Ryu extends scoreless innings streak to 31 as Dodgers top Reds|last=Castillo|first=Jorge|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=May 19, 2019|access-date=May 20, 2019}}</ref> Ryu won [[Major League Baseball Pitcher of the Month|MLB Pitcher of the Month]] in May, going 5–0 with a 0.59 ERA, striking out 36 batters, walking 3 batters, while allowing three earned runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/pitchers-of-the-month-giolito-ryu|title=Giolito, Ryu rebound to snag May pitcher honors|website=MLB.com|access-date=June 9, 2019}}</ref> He was selected to be the National League's starting pitcher for his first all-star appearance at the [[2019 MLB All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dodgers.mlblogs.com/ryu-buehler-kershaw-join-bellinger-on-2019-nl-all-star-team-da68db148002|title=Ryu, Buehler, Kershaw join Bellinger on 2019 NL All-Star Team|work=mlb.com|first=Rowan|last=Kavner|date=June 30, 2019|access-date=June 30, 2019}}</ref> On September 22, Ryu hit his first career home run off of [[Antonio Senzatela]] of the [[Colorado Rockies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/hyun-jin-ryu-hits-first-career-home-run?game_pk=565879|title=Ryu's 1st HR, Belli's slam power LA to 100th W|work=mlb.com|first=Ken|last=Gurnick|date=September 22, 2019|access-date=September 22, 2019}}</ref> He finished the regular season with a record of 14–5, an MLB season-leading ERA of 2.32 and the lowest walks per nine innings ratio of 1.183.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/hyun-jin-ryu-national-league-era-title-2019|title=Ryu secures NL ERA title with strong final start|work=mlb.com|first=Ken|last=Gurnick|date=September 28, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/stats?season=2019&category=BATTING+RATIOS&group=1&sort=11&time=0&pos=0&qual=1&sortOrder=0&splitType=0&page=1&statID=0|title=2019 MLB Player Batting Ratios Stats {{!}} Groundball Percentage|website=www.foxsports.com|language=en-US|access-date=October 3, 2019}}</ref> Ryu came in second in voting for the [[National League Cy Young Award]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/max-scherzer-loses-100-k-on-cy-young-recount-014502537.html|title=Max Scherzer 'loses' $100K on Cy Young recount|website=sports.yahoo.com|date=November 14, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref>

===Toronto Blue Jays (2020–2023)===
[[File:Hyun-jin Ryu throws out the first pitch for the Blue Jays versus the Nationals at Nationals Park, July 30, 2020 (All-Pro Reels Photography) (50172713978) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Ryu pitching with the Blue Jays in 2020]]
On December 27, 2019, Ryu signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the [[Toronto Blue Jays]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/hyun-jin-ryu-deal-with-blue-jays|title=Blue Jays sign left-hander Ryu to 4-year deal|last=Harrigan|first=Thomas|work=MLB.com|date=December 27, 2019|access-date=December 27, 2019}}</ref>

Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the Blue Jays 2020 season did not begin until July 24. On this day, Hyun-jin made his Blue Jays debut as the [[List of Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day starting pitchers|Opening Day starting pitcher]], throwing 4{{frac|2|3}} innings in Toronto's 6–4 victory over the [[Tampa Bay Rays]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/blue-jays-offense-backs-hyun-jin-ryu-in-debut |title=Lineup, bullpen click in Ryu's Toronto debut|work=MLB.com|author=Keegan Matheson|date=July 25, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020}}</ref> He would go on to finish the regular season with a 5–2 record over 12 starts with a 2.69 ERA over 62 innings pitched with 72 strikeouts & 17 walks. On September 24, 2020, in his final regular season start, Ryu became the first Blue Jays' starting pitcher in that season to pitch into the 7th inning & the second starter to throw 100 pitches, while also yielding 0 runs, 5 hits, & 2 walks, while compiling 4 strikeouts and the winning decision in a 4–1 victory over the [[New York Yankees]] to help clinch the Blue Jays' first postseason berth since 2016. He finished third in voting for the 2020 American League Cy Young award, and won the [[Warren Spahn Award]], presented each season by the [[Oklahoma Sports Museum]] to the best [[Left-handedness|left-handed]] [[pitcher]] in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ryu wins Warren Spahn Award as top lefty|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/hyun-jin-ryu-wins-warren-spahn-award|access-date=December 12, 2020|website=MLB.com|language=en}}</ref>

Hyun-jin made 31 starts for Toronto in 2021, pitching to a 14–10 record and 4.37 ERA with 143 strikeouts and 37 walks in 169.0 innings of work. In 2022, Ryu made 6 starts for the Blue Jays, limping to a 2–0 record and 5.67 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 27.0 innings pitched. On June 2, 2022, he was pulled from a start against the [[Chicago White Sox]] shortly after reaching 1,000 career innings pitched. He was later diagnosed with damage to his [[ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint|ulnar collateral ligament]] and underwent [[Tommy John surgery]] on June 18.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Blue Jays' Hyun Jin Ryu: Undergoes Tommy John surgery|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/blue-jays-hyun-jin-ryu-undergoes-tommy-john-surgery/amp/|access-date=February 26, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}</ref> On August 1, 2023, Ryu made his season debut and his first start in a year with the Blue Jays in a 3–13 losing effort against the [[Baltimore Orioles]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rout of AL East rival caps momentous day for Orioles|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-blue-jays/2023/08/01/717177/final/wrap|access-date=August 3, 2023|website=MLB.com|language=en}}</ref> He became a free agent following the season.

===Hanwha Eagles (second stint)===
On February 20, 2024, Ryu reached an agreement to return to South Korea to play for his old team, the Hanwha Eagles, for eight years and 17 billion [[South Korean won|won]], the largest contract in KBO League history.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hyun Jin Ryu signs record 8-year deal in return to KBO |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39574007/hyun-jin-ryu-signs-record-8-year-deal-return-kbo |access-date=February 23, 2024 |agency=Reuters |work=ESPN.com |date=February 22, 2024}}</ref>

==Pitching style==
[[File:Hyun-jin Ryu Pitching motion.webm|thumb|350px |Sample of Ryu's pitching motion. Click to expand.]]
Ryu is a {{height|ft=6|in=3}}, 255&nbsp;lb left-handed pitcher.<ref name="mlbp">{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/hyun-jin-ryu-547943|title=Hyun-Jin Ryu Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com|access-date=June 9, 2019}}</ref> He throws a fastball sitting 89–92&nbsp;mph<ref name="FGP"/> (tops out at 95&nbsp;mph),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20130529/freeway-series-dodgers-hyun-jin-ryu-polishes-off-angels|title=Freeway Series: Dodgers' Hyun-Jin Ryu polishes off Angels|date=May 29, 2013|website=dailynews.com|access-date=June 9, 2019}}</ref><ref name="espnryu">{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Alden |title=The new Greg Maddux? A healthy Hyun-Jin Ryu comes close |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26720033/the-new-greg-maddux-healthy-hyun-jin-ryu-comes-close |access-date=May 13, 2019 |work=ESPN.com |date=May 12, 2019}}</ref> a cutter, a curveball, a slider, and a change-up.<ref name="FGP">{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangraphs.com/players/hyun-jin-ryu/14444/stats?position=P|title=Hyun Jin Ryu – Stats – Pitching &#124; FanGraphs Baseball|website=www.fangraphs.com}}</ref> Scouts say that the change-up is his best pitch and is a legitimate out-pitch at the big league level.<ref>{{cite web|last=Eun Yong|first=Yoon|title=The best pitching Ryu Hyunjin, there are three big chances to win|date=April 26, 2013|url=http://sports.khan.co.kr/news/sk_index.html?cat=view&art_id=201304261641583&sec_id=510101&pt=nv}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Who Are Ya: Hyun-Jin Ryu|url=http://www.bluebirdbanter.com/2013/7/22/4545124/who-are-ya-hyun-jin-ryu|date=July 22, 2013}}</ref> Ryu has also drawn attention for his ability to locate his pitches within the strike zone.<ref name="espnryu"/> He posted a BB/9 (walks per nine innings rate) of 2.0 in his MLB career.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryuhy01.shtml|title = Hyun Jin Ryu Stats}}</ref>

Through the 2019 season, Ryu is the only pitcher born in Asia with a sub 3.00 career ERA (minimum of 500 innings pitched) in major league history.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=If you love traditional baseball, Hyun-Jin Ryu has advice: Watch the KBO!|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29202063/if-love-traditional-baseball-hyun-jin-ryu-advice-watch-kbo|date=May 22, 2020|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref> His MLB career ERA is 3.27 through the 2023 season.

==Popularity==
[[File:Ryu Hyun Jin Banner in LA Koreatown.png|thumb|upright|205px|A banner supporting Ryu hangs in [[Koreatown]] in Los Angeles in July 2013.]]

Ryu enjoys a popularity amongst South Korean baseball players, drawing South Korean fans as well as fans of [[Koreans|Korean]] ancestry in nearly every stadium he pitches in. On July 22, 2013, after a 14–5 win against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] played at [[Rogers Centre]], several hundred fans of Korean ancestry stayed after the game to give Ryu a standing ovation, a common practice during the game, but a rarity for an ovation to occur after the game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=330722114&teams=los-angeles-dodgers-vs-toronto-blue-jays|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715080733/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=330722114&teams=los-angeles-dodgers-vs-toronto-blue-jays|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2015|title=A.J. Ellis' career-best 5 RBIs help Dodgers roll Blue Jays}}</ref>

Ryu is so revered in South Korea that no Hanwha Eagles player has worn his no. 99 since he left for the major league in 2012.<ref name=":0" />

==Personal life==
Ryu married Korean sports reporter Bae Ji-hyun on January 5, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dodgers.mlblogs.com/the-dodger-offseason-of-love-continues-1d4083911ce9|title=The Dodger offseason of love continues|first=Rowan|last=Kavner|date=December 30, 2017|website=Dodger Insider|access-date=June 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreadailyus.com/ryu-hyun-jin-bae-ji-hyun/|title=Ryu Hyun-jin ♥ Bae Ji-hyun Officially Married {{!}} The Korea Daily|last=Joung|first=Audrey|date=January 5, 2018|language=en-US|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref> The wedding was officiated by [[Kim In-sik]], Ryu's first manager at Hanwha.<ref name=":0" /> The couple announced on October 11, 2019, that they were expecting their first child.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dodgersnation.com/dodgers-news-hyun-jin-ryu-and-wife-jini-bae-reportedly-expecting-their-first-child/2019/10/11/|title=Ryu Family Expecting Baby Korean Monster|date=October 12, 2019|website=Dodgers Nation|language=en-US|access-date=November 15, 2019}}</ref> Their daughter was born on May 17, 2020.<ref name=":0" /> Later, on July 24, 2022, Ryu announced his wife was pregnant with their second child.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=477&aid=0000372790|last=Jung|first=Seo-hee|title=류현진♥' 배지현, 둘째 생겼다…"임신 8개월 차, 이번엔 아들|trans-title=Ryu Hyun-jin ♥' Bae Ji-hyun has a second child... "I'm 8 months pregnant, this time my son|publisher=SpoTV News|via=[[Naver]]|date=July 25, 2022|access-date=July 25, 2022|language=ko}}</ref> Their second child, a son, was born in [[Toronto]] on September 29, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahn|first= Ha-na|date=October 1, 2022 |title=류현진 아내 배지현, 둘째 출산 "산모·아이 모두 건강"(공식) |trans-title=Ryu Hyun-jin's wife Bae Ji-hyun gives birth to second child "both mother and child are healthy" (official) |url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=057&aid=0001693383 |access-date=October 1, 2022 |publisher=[[Maeil Broadcasting Network]] |language=ko}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
* Ryu has appeared in ''[[Running Man (South Korean TV series)|Running Man]]'', with [[Shin-Soo Choo]] on episode 119; [[Bae Suzy]] on ep 171, 172 and 173; with [[Kang Jung-ho]] on ep 227; and with [[Kwang-hyun Kim]] on ep 534.
* Ryu made a cameo in ''[[Mr. Go (film)|Mr. Go]]'', a sport-comedy about a gorilla who becomes a baseball superstar.
* Ryu has appeared in Master in the house (South Korean TV series) on episode 152 and 153

== International competition ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!style="background:#0A6EFF"|<span style="color:white;">Year</span>
!style="background:#0A6EFF"|<span style="color:white;">Venue</span>
!style="background:#0A6EFF"|<span style="color:white;">Competition</span>
!style="background:#0A6EFF"|<span style="color:white;">Team</span>
!style="background:#0A6EFF"|<span style="color:white;">Individual Note</span>
|-
|2005
|{{Bb|KOR}}
|[[Asian Junior Baseball Championship]]
|style="text-align:center"| [[Image:Silver medal icon.svg]]
|0–0; 0.00 ERA (3 G, 8.1 IP, 0 ER, 14 K)
|-
|2006
|{{fb|QAT}}
|[[Baseball at the 2006 Asian Games|Asian Games]]
|style="text-align:center"| [[Image:Bronze medal icon.svg]]
|0–0; 9.95 ERA (2 G, 6.1 IP, 7 ER, 6 K)
|-
|2007
|{{Bb|TPE}}
|[[Asian Baseball Championship]]
|style="text-align:center"| [[Image:Silver medal icon.svg]]
|1–0; 0.00 ERA (1 G, 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 K)
|-
|2008
|{{Bb|TPE}}
|[[Baseball at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Qualification#Final Qualifying Tournament|Final Olympic Qualification Tournament]]
|style="text-align:center"| [[Image:Silver medal icon.svg]]
|0–1; 3.00 ERA (2 G, 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 K)
|-
|2008
|{{Bb|CHN}}
|[[Baseball at the 2008 Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]
|style="text-align:center"| [[Image:Gold medal icon.svg]]
|2–0; 1.04 ERA (2 G, 17.1 IP, 2 ER, 13 K)
|-
|2009
|{{Bb|USA}}
|[[2009 World Baseball Classic|World Baseball Classic]]
|style="text-align:center"| [[Image:Silver medal icon.svg]]
|1–0; 2.57 ERA (5 G, 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 K)
|-
|2010
|{{Bb|CHN}}
|[[Baseball at the 2010 Asian Games|Asian Games]]
|style="text-align:center"| [[Image:Gold medal icon.svg]]
|1–0; 3.60 ERA (2 G, 10.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 K)
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|South Korea|Baseball|Biography}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball players from South Korea]]
* [[List of World Series starting pitchers]]
* [[Los Angeles Dodgers award winners and league leaders]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Ryu Hyun-jin}}
* {{Baseballstats|mlb=547943|espn=32582|br=r/ryuhy01|fangraphs=14444|brm=ryu---000hye|retro=R/Pryu-h001}}
* [http://eng.koreabaseball.com/Teams/PlayerInfoPitcher/Summary.aspx?pcode=76715 Career statistics and player information] from [[KBO League]]
* {{Olympedia}}
* {{Olympics.com|hyunjin-ryu}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box | title=[[List of Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day starting pitchers|Opening Day starting pitcher<br/> for the Toronto Blue Jays]] | before= [[Marcus Stroman]] | years={{mlby|2020}}{{endash}}{{mlby|2021}} | after= [[José Berríos]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Hanwha Eagles roster navbox}}
{{Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{South Korea baseball roster 2008 Summer Olympics}}
{{South Korea roster 2009 World Baseball Classic}}
{{South Korea baseball roster 2010 Asian Games}}
{{NL ERA champions}}
{{Warren Spahn Award}}
{{2019 All MLB Team}}
{{2020 All MLB Team}}
{{KBO League Rookie of the Year}}
{{KBO League MVP}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryu, Hyun-jin}}
[[Category:1987 births]]
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