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.”