The Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation, already strained by injuries this season, has taken another major hit. On Saturday night, rookie right-hander River Ryan exited the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness, further complicating an already turbulent year for the Dodgers’ pitching staff.
Ryan, who began feeling discomfort in the third inning, attempted to mitigate the pain with a massage gun between innings. However, by the fifth inning, the tightness had returned with a vengeance, forcing Manager Dave Roberts to pull him from the game. Subsequent tests revealed a torn UCL in Ryan’s throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery. This unfortunate diagnosis means Ryan's season is over, and he is expected to miss most, if not all, of 2025.
The 24-year-old made his MLB debut earlier this year and was seen as a promising addition to the Dodgers' rotation. According to Baseball America, Ryan “has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter.” The Dodgers had high hopes for the rookie, but his season has been marred by injuries. Prior to this latest setback, Ryan had already missed the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder.
Troubles in the Rotation
Ryan’s injury compounds the Dodgers’ pitching woes. Bobby Miller, another young pitcher, has also struggled with shoulder issues this season. Miller missed significant time due to shoulder inflammation and has had a tough time finding his form since returning to the mound. In seven big-league starts, Miller posted an 8.07 ERA, leading to his demotion to Triple-A. His struggles continued in the minors, where he managed a 5.82 ERA with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
These struggles have forced the Dodgers to rely on an unprecedented number of starting pitchers this season. With Ryan's injury, the team has now used 17 different starters, the most in Major League Baseball. The churn in the rotation poses a significant challenge as they strive to maintain their position atop the National League standings.
The Search for Stability
In an attempt to stabilize their pitching staff, the Dodgers called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack to replace Ryan. Knack will join a rotation that has been constantly in flux, as Manager Dave Roberts and his staff look for solutions to navigate the rest of the season and prepare for the playoffs.
Despite their rotation troubles, the Dodgers currently hold the best record in the National League with a 70-49 mark. They lead the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres by 3 1/2 games. The challenge now will be to piece together a reliable rotation that can carry them through the postseason.
Managing Arms Carefully
The health of the remaining pitchers will be a focal point for the Dodgers as they move forward. Managing innings and preserving the arms they have will be crucial. Roberts and his coaching staff face the daunting task of balancing immediate performance with long-term health, a tightrope walk that can determine the success of their season.
The Dodgers' ability to maintain their lead in the National League and make a deep playoff run will largely depend on how well they can manage their pitching staff through these final weeks of the regular season. With Ryan sidelined and Miller still searching for consistency, the road ahead is challenging, but the Dodgers have shown resilience in the face of adversity all year.
The organization and its fans can only hope that the worst of their injury woes are behind them and that the remaining arms can stay healthy and effective. If they can navigate these stormy waters, the Dodgers still have a clear path to October success.