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Former Dodgers All-Star Making Noise in South Korea

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Apr 19, 2025 6:08 PM ET

Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu has no time for Father Time, even as he nears his 40th birthday.

Major League Baseball fans last saw Ryu, then with the Toronto Blue Jays, on a big-league mound in September 2023. Ryu returned to his native South Korea ahead of the 2024 season and, just as he did before he arrived stateside, remains a tough nut for opposing hitters to crack.

Ryu, 38, entered play Saturday with a 2.54 ERA and a 19-5 K-BB ratio over 28.1 innings for the Hanwha Eagles. He's done a terrific job avoiding the long ball, allowing only three home runs in his five starts.

The Eagles are certainly getting their money's worth after signing Ryu to an eight-year, 17 million South Korean won (roughly 12 million USD) contract in February 2024. Ryu previously earned seven All-Star nods, five strikeout crowns, and even an MVP for the Eagles from 2006-12.

Ryu enjoyed a solid 10-year MLB career, departing with a 3.27 ERA and 19.0 bWAR in 10 seasons. He tallied four 14-win seasons with two top-3 Cy Young finishes, though one came during the shortened 2020 season.

Ryu ended his Dodgers career in style, leading the majors with a 2.32 ERA over 182.2 innings in 2019. Only Cody Bellinger had a higher bWAR (8.7) among Dodgers players that year than Ryu's 5.4.

Interestingly, Ryu isn't the only ex-Dodgers All-Star making noise in the KBO. Former teammate Yasiel Puig recently had a walk-off single for the Kiwoom Heroes.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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