Dodgers pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu isn’t taking spring training lightly.

Hyun-Jin Ryu

Hyun-Jin Ryu said he started training two weeks earlier this season after feeling “underprepared” his rookie year. (Sarah Reingewirtz/Staff photographer)

Hyun-Jin Ryu made a lasting impression early in his first major league spring training. He finished last in a conditioning run among the Dodgers’ pitchers — by a large margin.

Friday, Ryu pledged to be better.

“I realized I was underprepared,” he said through an interpreter. “I came two weeks earlier (this year). I feel like I should be better prepared when the season starts.”

Underprepared mentally or physically? “Both,” he said, “but mostly physical.”

Ryu said he hasn’t been dieting per se. He’s listed as 6-foot-2 and 255 pounds, same as a year ago. He’s been encouraged not to eat his way any higher on the scale. Ryu doesn’t think that will be a problem.

“Naturally during spring training we all lose weight,” he said.

Whatever Ryu did last year worked: In addition to a 14-8 record and 3.00 ERA, he finished the season with 192 innings pitched, first among major-league rookies. His 30 starts were second only to Clayton Kershaw on the Dodgers.

Ryu might prefer the word “durable” to “heavy,” but there’s no reason both can’t be accurate.

“As always I try to go for double-digit wins and a low ERA,” he said, “but I want to get through a full season without any injuries.”

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.