Ryu Hyun-jin confident of winning rotation spot in first big league season

Entering his first Major League Baseball (MLB) season, South Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin of the Los Angeles Dodgers said Tuesday he is confident that he can beat stiff competition to join the team's starting rotation.

The 25-year-old signed a six-year, US$36 million contract in December last year, leaving the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), his home since 2006. The former MVP of the South Korean league reported to the Dodgers' spring training at Camelback Ranch here in Arizona Tuesday, along with other pitchers and catchers.