The Los Angeles Dodgers face yet another setback in their already embattled rotation as rookie right-hander River Ryan was removed from Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness. This development further complicates a season dogged by injuries and underperformance among the pitching staff.
Injury Strikes Again
The trouble started in the third inning for Ryan, who first felt discomfort in his forearm. Despite his attempts to alleviate the pain with a massage gun between innings, the tightness returned in the fifth inning. Ryan's discomfort was severe enough to prompt Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to take him out of the game. Subsequent tests confirmed the worst: a torn UCL in Ryan's throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery. This unfortunate injury ends Ryan's 2024 season and likely sidelines him for most, if not all, of 2025.
High Hopes Shattered
The Dodgers had pegged Ryan, who made his debut earlier this year, as a promising addition to their roster. With high hopes pinned on the rookie, the team's aspirations have been dashed by his season-ending injury. This is not the first time Ryan has faced physical setbacks; he missed the first two months of this season due to a sore shoulder, adding another layer of disappointment for both the player and the organization.
Bobby Miller, another key pitcher, also missed significant time with shoulder inflammation. Upon his return, Miller struggled to find his form, posting an 8.07 ERA in seven big-league starts before being demoted. His performance in Triple-A hasn’t been much better, as he recorded a 5.82 ERA, with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts. The challenges faced by Ryan and Miller highlight a growing problem for the Dodgers' rotation.
Deepening Rotation Woes
The Dodgers have fielded an astonishing 17 different starting pitchers this season, the most in baseball. This revolving door of pitchers underscores the issues plaguing the team's rotation. To fill the void left by Ryan, the Dodgers called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack. While the move aims to stabilize the rotation temporarily, it’s clear that Manager Dave Roberts and his staff have a significant challenge ahead as they piece together a viable rotation for the postseason.
Maintaining Their Lead
Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers stand firm with a record of 70-49, holding the best record in the National League. They lead the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres by 3 1/2 games. As they strive to retain their position at the top of the standings, preserving the health of their remaining arms and managing innings carefully will be crucial.
Roberts and his coaching staff are now tasked with making calculated decisions to manage workloads and ensure their pitchers are in optimal condition for the postseason. The road ahead may be challenging, but with strategic planning and a bit of luck, the Dodgers aim to maintain their dominance in the National League.
Baseball America once noted that River Ryan "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter," a sentiment that now feels bittersweet given the current circumstances. The promise of his potential will remain in the hearts of Dodgers fans as they await his eventual return to the mound.
As the Dodgers navigate through these turbulent times, they will need to draw upon the depth of their roster and the resilience of their players. The journey to the postseason will test their mettle, but the Dodgers have shown time and again that they can rise to the occasion.