Dodgers Face New Challenge as Rookie Pitcher River Ryan Joins Injury List
The Los Angeles Dodgers have hit another bump in what has been a turbulent season for their pitching staff. The latest casualty is rookie right-hander River Ryan, who departed early from Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness.
Ryan, showing promise this season with a 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts, exited the game after 4 2/3 innings, having thrown just 56 pitches. The discomfort first surfaced in the third inning, leading Ryan to use a massage gun between innings in an attempt to alleviate the tightness. Unfortunately, the issue persisted, forcing him to leave the mound in the fifth inning.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed concern over Ryan’s condition but remained cautiously optimistic. "Hopefully we have some good news, and we'll see. Obviously, we've got to be careful with him. We'll know more tomorrow," Roberts commented. Yet, he couldn't hide his unease entirely, adding, "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting."
The unfortunate turn of events is another blow for the Dodgers, who have already seen an unprecedented shuffle in their starting rotation this season. Ryan, who had just recently returned from a sore shoulder that kept him out for the first two months, will now be placed on the injured list as he undergoes further testing.
Ryan's injury piles onto an already long list of concerns for the Dodgers. The team has cycled through 17 different starting pitchers this season, with several key players missing extended periods due to injuries. Among them is Bobby Miller, who also missed two months due to shoulder inflammation. Miller, struggling with an 8.07 ERA in seven major league starts before being demoted, hasn't found much solace in Triple-A either with a 5.82 ERA plagued by control issues.
Ryan's journey to the Dodgers began in an understated manner, arriving through a minor trade with the San Diego Padres for utility player Matt Beaty in March 2022. Since then, he has rapidly climbed the ranks, earning recognition from Baseball America as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system.
This latest injury couldn't come at a worse time for the Dodgers, who are in the throes of a fierce battle in the National League West. Once enjoying a comfortable lead, their cushion has now dwindled from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games. Their recent form—17 wins and 18 losses over the last 35 games—has further fueled concerns about their ability to maintain their edge as the season progresses.
As the team braces for the results of Ryan's tests, there is a lingering sense of urgency to find stability. The Dodgers' season has been marred by a series of unfortunate incidents, but the resilience in their ranks remains hopeful. While Roberts and the team await the definitive results on Ryan's condition, their focus will undoubtedly be on finding a way to navigate through the myriad challenges they face.
Dodgers fans can only hope that the testing on Sunday brings favorable news, allowing Ryan to return sooner rather than later. For now, the team must prepare to adapt yet again, relying on the depth and versatility of their roster to sustain another significant setback in their pitching rotation.