The Los Angeles Dodgers have once again found themselves navigating the choppy waters of an injury-plagued season, as they watched yet another promising arm head to the injured list. This time, it’s rookie right-hander River Ryan who made an untimely exit.
Ryan, who has been a beacon of hope in the Dodgers' rotation with a noteworthy 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts this year, left Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates prematurely. After throwing just 56 pitches through 4 2/3 innings, the young pitcher experienced discomfort that forced him from the game.
Injury Details Unfold
The trouble began in the third inning when Ryan first felt tightness in his forearm. According to reports, he attempted to mitigate the discomfort using a massage gun during breaks between innings. However, the tightness recurred in the fifth inning, leading to his eventual removal from the mound.
Manager Dave Roberts voiced the collective concern shared by the team and fans alike, stating, "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' cautious optimism was layered over a clear worry as he added, "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting."
This latest setback is especially frustrating for Ryan, who only recently returned to the lineup after missing the first two months of the season with a sore shoulder. The need for yet another bout of recovery and testing, set to commence Sunday, highlights the unpredictability and fragility inherent in the sport.
Dodgers' Rotational Roulette
Ryan's injury marks another chapter in the Dodgers' ongoing struggle to keep their rotation healthy. The team has already utilized an astounding 17 different starting pitchers this season, an indicator of their relentless turnstile of arms due to injuries.
Among those affected is Bobby Miller, whose early promise has given way to a concerning 8.07 ERA over seven major league starts before being demoted. In Triple-A, Miller has continued to experience difficulty, recording a 5.82 ERA with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts. Miller's shoulder inflammation earlier this season kept him sidelined for two months, adding to the compounding issues facing the Dodgers' pitching staff.
Ryan's Road to the Dodgers
River Ryan's journey to the Dodgers' squad came through a minor trade from the San Diego Padres in March 2022, in exchange for utility man Matt Beaty. Since then, Ryan has swiftly ascended, earning notable recognition. Baseball America recently ranked him as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update.
Despite personal highs, such as his admirable performance on the mound, Ryan finds himself part of a roster that is grappling with its own challenges. The Dodgers, who boast a 68-49 record, have seen their once comfortable lead in the National League West shrink alarmingly. From July 23 to the present, that lead dwindled from 8.5 games to a precarious 2.5 games, indicative of the team's recent mediocrity—posting a 17-18 record over their last 35 games.
Looking Ahead Under a Cloud of Uncertainty
As River Ryan stands at the precipice of further medical evaluations, the Dodgers must brace themselves for yet another test of their depth and resilience. While Roberts and the team hope for positive news, the reality is that the Dodgers' rotation is in desperate need of stability as they aim to push through the final stretch of the season and secure their postseason position.
For now, patience and prudence are the orders of the day, with further clarity on Ryan's condition set to emerge following Sunday's tests. The Dodgers, and their fans, will be keeping a watchful eye, hoping for a break in what has been an unrelenting storm of injuries.