The Los Angeles Dodgers' season took another unfortunate turn as rookie right-hander River Ryan was forced to exit Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness. Ryan, who had been a promising addition to the Dodgers’ rotation, left after pitching 4 2/3 innings and throwing 56 pitches. The discomfort initially emerged in the third inning, forcing Ryan to try and alleviate it with a massage gun between innings. However, the tightness returned in the fifth inning, leading to his premature departure from the game.
The Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, expressed concern over Ryan's condition, 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." The immediate future doesn't look promising as Ryan is expected to be placed on the injured list and will undergo further testing on Sunday.
Ryan’s injury is particularly disheartening given his recent return after missing the first two months of the season with a sore shoulder. This latest setback continues what has been a year marked by a revolving door of injuries for the Dodgers' starting rotation. The team has already employed 17 different starting pitchers this season, a testament to the challenges they have faced in maintaining a consistent pitching staff.
Bobby Miller's Struggles Add to Pitching Woes
Adding to the Dodgers' pitching woes is the performance of Bobby Miller. After missing two months with shoulder inflammation, Miller returned to the mound but struggled significantly, posting an 8.07 ERA in seven major-league starts before being demoted. His performance in Triple-A hasn’t been much better, with a 5.82 ERA and nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts. These struggles illustrate the difficulty the Dodgers have faced in finding reliable pitching this season.
Ryan’s Bright Start Dimmed by Injuries
The Dodgers had high hopes for Ryan, who joined the team from the San Diego Padres in a minor trade for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022. His performance this year initially justified the team’s optimism, as he posted a stellar 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts. Ryan’s potential was further acknowledged when Baseball America ranked him as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update.
Ryan’s injury comes at a particularly inopportune time for the Dodgers, who hold a 68-49 record but have struggled recently with a 17-18 record over their last 35 games. This slump has seen their once commanding lead in the NL West shrink from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games. The Dodgers will need to rediscover their form and maintain composure if they are to secure their position in the division. Roberts' visible concern over Ryan's forearm is shared by many in the organization. "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting," Roberts noted, reflecting the team's anxiety over the potential severity of the injury.
Looking Forward
As the Dodgers await further word on Ryan’s condition, the team must brace itself for yet another round of adjustments. The resilience of their squad will be tested once again, as they strive to overcome these continuous hurdles. The front office and the coaching staff will be hoping for a swift and positive diagnosis for Ryan, whose early-season promise had been a rare bright spot in an otherwise tumultuous year for the team's pitching staff.
The Dodgers' ability to manage these setbacks and continue competing at a high level will be critical as the regular season heads into its final stretch. The health and performance of their pitching rotation remain pivotal to their aspirations, and the news on Ryan will be eagerly awaited by fans and analysts alike.