The Los Angeles Dodgers' Hopes Dampen with River Ryan's Injury
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been hit with yet another setback to their pitching rotation. Promising rookie pitcher River Ryan was forced to leave Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after experiencing tightness in his forearm. Ryan, who made his debut earlier this year, had shown great potential, drawing high hopes from the Dodgers' management.
Ryan's troubles began in the third inning of the game, where he first felt the discomfort. Despite using a massage gun between innings to alleviate some of the pain, the tightness returned by the fifth inning. This prompted Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to pull Ryan from the mound. The initial diagnosis led to Ryan being placed on the injured list the very next day.
Subsequent medical tests confirmed every pitcher's nightmare: a torn UCL in his throwing elbow. This devastating injury will necessitate Tommy John surgery, effectively ending Ryan's 2024 season and likely sidelining him for most, if not all, of 2025. For the Dodgers, this is another blow in a season already riddled with injuries to their pitching staff.
Ryan had missed the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder, only adding to the frustration. Yet, the Dodgers were optimistic about his return, believing, as Baseball America put it, he "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter." His potential was palpable, and the team's hopes for his future were high.
The Dodgers have seen similar struggles with their other rookies. Fellow pitcher Bobby Miller, who also missed significant time due to shoulder inflammation, had difficulty finding his form upon return. Miller registered an 8.07 ERA in seven big-league starts before being demoted. In Triple-A, his performance didn't inspire much confidence either, as he posted a 5.82 ERA with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
These injuries have forced the Dodgers to use an astonishing 17 different starting pitchers this season, more than any other team in baseball. The constant reshuffling has made it challenging for the team to find consistency on the mound. Manager Dave Roberts and his staff now face the arduous task of piecing together a rotation for the postseason while striving to maintain their lead in the National League standings.
To fill the immediate void left by Ryan, the Dodgers have called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack. While Knack's arrival offers a sliver of hope, the larger concern remains about the sustainability of the pitching staff’s health and performance as the postseason approaches.
Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers continue to hold the best record in the National League at 70-49. They remain 3 1/2 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres. The challenge now lies in preserving the health of their remaining pitchers and managing their innings carefully to maintain their position at the top of the standings.
The Dodgers' journey this season underscores the volatility and unpredictability of professional baseball. As Ryan heads for surgery and a prolonged recovery, the team will need to rely on its depth and resilience more than ever. The pressure mounts as the Dodgers aim not just to stay atop the National League but also to navigate through a postseason with a rotation held together by determination and perhaps a bit of luck.