Dodgers’ Injury Woes Deepen as Rookie Pitcher Ryan Exits Early
The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves grappling with another challenge as rookie right-hander River Ryan exited early from Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The promising young pitcher was compelled to leave after experiencing forearm tightness, adding to the injury concerns plaguing the team's starting rotation this season.
Ryan pitched 4 2/3 innings, throwing 56 pitches before the discomfort in his forearm forced him off the mound. The tightness first presented itself during the third inning and, despite efforts to loosen up between innings with a massage gun, it intensified by the fifth inning, necessitating Ryan’s early departure.
“Hopefully we have some good news, and we'll see. Obviously, we've got to be careful with him. We'll know more tomorrow,” expressed Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts with a mix of cautious optimism and underlying concern. Roberts also noted, "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting."
Ryan will be placed on the injured list as the team awaits further testing scheduled for Sunday. This is particularly disappointing given Ryan's recent return to form after missing the first two months of the season with a sore shoulder.
The injury to Ryan adds to the Dodgers' considerable woes with their pitching staff. The team has already cycled through 17 different starting pitchers this season, a testament to their persistent injury problems. Another notable case is Bobby Miller, who missed two months with shoulder inflammation. Miller struggled upon his return, posting an 8.07 ERA in seven major-league starts before being sent back to Triple-A, where he fared slightly better with a 5.82 ERA but showed a concerning nearly even ratio of walks to strikeouts.
Ryan's journey to the Dodgers commenced with a minor trade from the San Diego Padres in March 2022, in exchange for utility man Matt Beaty. His performance this year has been commendable, maintaining a 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts. Baseball America recognized his potential by ranking him as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update.
The Dodgers are currently navigating a season that has seen a blend of highs and lows. With a solid 68-49 record, they have nonetheless struggled over their last 35 games, going 17-18. Their lead in the NL West has narrowed from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games, intensifying the pressure as they move deeper into the season.
While Ryan's immediate future remains uncertain pending Sunday's tests, the Dodgers will need to adapt swiftly to maintain their edge and prevent their injury-riddled pitching roster from derailing their postseason aspirations.
The steadfast determination of the Dodgers will once again be tested as they await more precise updates on Ryan’s condition. As Roberts emphasizes, while the situation is worrisome, it underscores the broader narrative of the Dodgers’ season—one marked by resilience in the face of relentless adversity.