Another Blow to Dodgers' Rotation: River Ryan Out for the Season
The Los Angeles Dodgers have suffered a significant setback as they continue their pursuit of postseason success. During Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, rookie right-hander River Ryan exited the game in the fifth inning due to forearm tightness. This injury compounds the Dodgers' existing rotation issues and presents a daunting challenge for manager Dave Roberts and his staff.
Ryan first experienced discomfort in the third inning, and despite using a massage gun to alleviate the pain between innings, the tightness returned by the fifth. Consequently, Roberts was forced to remove him from the game. Subsequent tests revealed a torn UCL in Ryan's throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery. This devastating diagnosis puts an end to Ryan’s 2024 season and could sideline him for most, if not all, of 2025.
River Ryan’s debut earlier this year had sparked hope among Dodgers fans and management. Regarded highly by Baseball America, which noted he "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter," Ryan seemed poised to become a key component of the Dodgers' rotation. However, his journey to the mound this season has been fraught with challenges. He missed the first two months due to a sore shoulder, only to be met with an even more severe injury upon his return.
This latest injury is a harsh blow to a team already struggling with pitcher health. Bobby Miller, another promising right-hander, also faced significant time on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. Miller's return to the majors was less than stellar; he posted an 8.07 ERA over seven starts before being demoted to Triple-A, where his struggles continued with a 5.82 ERA and nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
The Dodgers’ rotation has been a revolving door this season, with 17 different starting pitchers taking the mound—the most in Major League Baseball. This constant turnover has placed a tremendous strain on the team, forcing the staff to be creative and cautious as they piece together a viable rotation for the remainder of the season and into the postseason.
To fill the void left by Ryan, the Dodgers have called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack. While Knack’s promotion adds depth, the Dodgers’ current record of 70-49 underscores the importance of maintaining their stronghold in the National League. They hold the best record in the league, but the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are trailing closely, just 3 1/2 games behind.
Manager Dave Roberts now faces the critical task of balancing the health and readiness of his pitchers. Preventing further injuries will be paramount, as will managing the innings of those pitchers who remain active. The goal is not just to make it to the postseason but to be in top form when they get there.
Despite the adversities, the Dodgers remain one of the strongest teams in baseball. Their ability to persevere through injuries and roster changes has been commendable. However, with the loss of yet another promising young arm, the path to postseason glory has become even more challenging.