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Veteran pitcher ready for long-awaited outing at Tokyo Dome

Published: 06 Mar. 2026, 09:30

Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin, right, throws a ball during practice for the World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on March 4. [YONHAP]

TOKYO — As the second-oldest player for Korea at this year's World Baseball Classic (WBC) at 38, left-handed pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin doesn't need daily reminders of his age or seniority.

But he got one Thursday, when he was asked to recall the last time he had pitched at Tokyo Dome, the site of the ongoing tournament for Korea in Pool C.

"It was in 2009 [during the WBC]," Ryu said Thursday, recalling his start against Chinese Taipei on March 6, 2009. Ryu tossed three scoreless innings in a 9-0 victory.

"That was what, 17 years ago? I am old," Ryu added with a smile.

He may be so, as he nears his 39th birthday later this month, but Ryu is also wiser. While he can no longer overpower hitters with fastballs, Ryu is much better at locating his pitches and changing speeds of his breaking balls. The crafty lefty can come in on hitters with a fastball or a cutter and then flip a knee-buckling curveball for a strike.

And although Korea has not yet revealed its starting rotation for the remaining games after an 11-4 win over Czech Republic on Thursday, all signs point to Ryu getting the ball to start against Chinese Taipei at noon Sunday.

Ryu last pitched Monday in an exhibition game against the Hanshin Tigers. He threw two shutout frames on 34 pitches in relief, inducing plenty of soft contact in the process.

Ryu Hyun-jin of Korea reacts after completing the bottom of the seventh inning of an exhibition game against the Hanshin Tigers ahead of the World Baseball Classic at Kyocera Dome in Osaka on March 2. [YONHAP]

And with Tokyo Dome already yielding many long balls — Australia hit two in a 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei earlier Thursday before Korea hammered four — Ryu said he will need more of the same when he pitches here. And he declared his preparation for his next outing, whenever it may be, is going well.

"I think control will be at a premium, with so many homers being hit," Ryu said. "I think I will have to get some soft contact."

During the first round, all pitchers are capped at 65 pitches per outing. Those who throw 50 or more will have to sit out for a minimum four days, and 30 or more pitches will require one day of rest.

Ryu said he will try his best not to get caught up with his pitch count.

"I will just have to take it inning by inning," Ryu said. "I may get a start, but I won't have the conventional role as a starter. With the pitch count limit, there's no reason for me to stay out there a long time."

Australia's win over Chinese Taipei was considered an upset, given the latter team's aspirations for a knockout berth. Chinese Taipei managed only three hits, all singles.

Ryu said his teammates didn't outwardly show their surprise with the result but added, "Personally, I didn't expect that kind of result."

Ryu also said Chinese Taipei's anemic offense Thursday won't necessarily mean more of the same come Sunday.

"Results depend on how players feel on that particular day," he said. "Chinese Taipei has some strong hitters. So I have to be wary of their extra-base power."

Yonhap