OAKLAND -- Like having too much money, there's no such thing as having too many starting pitchers, but that's where the Dodgers are heading.
Thomas Stripling is scheduled to come off the disabled list to start Thursday in Colorado, while Alex Wood threw a three-inning simulated game on Wednesday and is eligible to be activated on Tuesday. Hyun-Jin Ryu was impressive in a five-inning Triple-A rehab start on Tuesday night.
Add them to Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda and Walker Buehler and the Dodgers have the mathematical dilemma of dividing five by seven -- barring another timely injury.
"A lot of good pitchers, a lot of good options," said manager Dave Roberts, who insisted a six-man rotation is not one of the options. "Tough decisions coming. It's a high-class problem."
Ryu, out since May 3 with a left groin strain, can be a free agent after this season, so he's running out of time to prove his worth. Because of past injuries, Ryu is not considered a candidate for the bullpen.
"He pitched well, he feels well, to make our decision more difficult, that's a good thing for the Dodgers," Roberts said of Ryu.
"With Alex, it was three innings and he feels good. No signs of that adductor leg issue. The next step is a bullpen [session] in a couple of days and at that point we'll figure out where to plug him in."
Worth noting
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation executive director Nichol Whiteman has been recognized by the Sports Business Journal/Daily as a member of their eighth annual class of Game Changers. The Foundation is dedicated to making an impact in the community, including the creation of 50 Dreamfields throughout the Southland.
• Kershaw's Challenge -- the non-profit organization led by Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and his wife, Ellen -- will hold its 6th annual PingPong4Purpose fundraiser and celebrity ping-pong competition on Thursday, Aug. 23, at Dodger Stadium. Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey and his wife, Camila , founders of the Just Keep Livin Foundation, will be saluted with the Kershaw's Challenge Impact Award for their work. EMMY Award winner Bryan Cranston and Robin Dearden are honorary hosts for the evening, with Cranston acting as emcee for PingPong4Purpose.