The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Pitching Woes Deepen as River Ryan Suffers Season-Ending Injury
In a season already marred by a litany of injuries to their pitching staff, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been dealt yet another significant blow. River Ryan, a promising rookie who made his debut earlier this year, exited Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after experiencing forearm tightness.
Ryan’s discomfort became evident in the third inning when he first felt tightness in his forearm. Attempting to soldier on, he used a massage gun between innings to alleviate some of the pain. However, by the fifth inning, the tightness had intensified, forcing Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to remove him from the game.
“Has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter,” noted Baseball America about Ryan's potential earlier in the year, highlighting the significant impact of his loss.
The immediate diagnosis was grim, leading to Ryan's placement on the injured list the following day. Subsequent tests confirmed a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, necessitating the dreaded Tommy John surgery. This injury concludes Ryan's 2024 season and will likely sideline him for a substantial part of 2025 as well.
The timing of this injury could not be more unfortunate for Ryan and the Dodgers. Ryan had already missed the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder, and the team had high hopes for his return. His loss further exacerbates an already beleaguered Dodgers rotation.
Bobby Miller, another key arm for the Dodgers, also missed significant time this season due to shoulder inflammation. Upon returning, Miller struggled to find his form, recording an 8.07 ERA in seven big-league starts before being demoted. Even in Triple-A, Miller has found it challenging, posting a 5.82 ERA with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
The Dodgers have utilized a staggering 17 different starting pitchers this season, the most in baseball. The constant rotation shuffle underscores the challenges they face in maintaining a stable and effective pitching staff. To mitigate Ryan's absence, the Dodgers called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack, hoping he can provide some stability down the stretch.
Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers remain resilient. They currently boast a record of 70-49, the best in the National League. They hold a slim 3 1/2 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres, making every game crucial as the regular season winds down.
Manager Dave Roberts and his staff now face the arduous task of piecing together a rotation capable of performing in the postseason. This includes carefully managing the innings of their remaining arms to preserve their health. The team’s ability to navigate these treacherous waters and maintain their position at the top of the National League standings may well define their season.
While Ryan's injury is undoubtedly a significant setback, the Dodgers are no strangers to adversity. The resilience and depth of their roster will be tested over the coming weeks as they strive to secure a playoff berth and make a deep postseason run. For now, all eyes are on how the team adapts to yet another challenge in a season filled with them.