Dodgers Face Another Setback as Rookie Pitcher River Ryan Hits Injured List
The Los Angeles Dodgers' roller-coaster season hit another dip as rookie right-hander River Ryan exited Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates early due to forearm tightness. This latest development adds to the growing list of pitching woes for the team, which has already cycled through 17 different starters this season.
Ryan, who had shown promise in his brief major-league tenure, left the game after 4 2/3 innings and just 56 pitches. He initially felt discomfort in his forearm during the third inning and attempted to alleviate it with a massage gun between innings. However, the tightness returned in the fifth inning, necessitating his premature departure from the mound.
Manager Dave Roberts provided a measured response following the game, expressing both concern and hope. "Hopefully we have some good news, and we'll see. Obviously, we've got to be careful with him. We'll know more tomorrow," he said. "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting."
Ryan will be placed on the injured list and is set to undergo further testing on Sunday to determine the extent of the injury. This marks another frustrating chapter in what has been a challenging season for the Dodgers' pitching staff. Ryan had only recently made his return after missing the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder.
Despite the adversity, Ryan has made an impressive impact in his limited starts this year, boasting a remarkable 1.33 ERA. The young pitcher's potential hasn't gone unnoticed. Baseball America recently recognized Ryan as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update.
Ryan isn't the only one in the Dodgers' pitching lineup to deal with injuries this season. Bobby Miller, another young talent, has also struggled with his health. Miller missed two months with shoulder inflammation and has had a rough go in his major league starts, posting an 8.07 ERA over seven games before being demoted to Triple-A. Unfortunately, his performance in Triple-A has not been much better, with a 5.82 ERA and a concerning walk-to-strikeout ratio.
The Dodgers' acquisition of River Ryan from the San Diego Padres in March 2022 in a minor trade for utility man Matt Beaty has been considered savvy until his recent injury. Given the team's high hopes for Ryan and their struggles to maintain a consistent starting rotation, his health is of paramount importance to their season's prospects.
As the Dodgers navigate these challenges, their record stands at 68-49, a strong showing despite the tumultuous season. However, recent performance metrics reveal cracks in the facade. Over the last 35 games, the Dodgers are a mere 17-18, a significant downturn from their earlier dominance. The NL West lead has dwindled from a comfortable 8.5 games on July 23 to a precarious 2.5 games, underscoring the urgency for a turnaround.
Manager Dave Roberts and his staff are undoubtedly feeling the pressure to find solutions. The tightness of the NL West race leaves little margin for error, and every game matters more as the season progresses. The team will need both their veterans and young guns like Ryan to step up if they hope to regain their foothold and make a strong push in the postseason. Ryan's upcoming tests will be crucial in determining his immediate future and, indirectly, the fortunes of the Dodgers as they aim for October glory.
The coming days will be critical for Ryan and the Dodgers. The entire organization and its fans will be collectively holding their breath, hoping for good news from the medical evaluations. With a significant chunk of the season still ahead, the Dodgers will need all hands on deck to steer through this storm and come out stronger on the other side.