Dodgers Face Fresh Setback as Rookie Pitcher River Ryan Exits with Injury
The Los Angeles Dodgers have hit yet another snag in their tumultuous pitching roster this season, with another of their starters succumbing to injury. Rookie right-hander River Ryan, who was making his fourth major league start, left Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness.
Trouble Strikes Again
After delivering 4 2/3 innings and making 56 pitches, Ryan felt an increasing tightness in his forearm that first troubled him during the third inning. This discomfort prompted him to use a massage gun between innings in an attempt to loosen up. Unfortunately, the reprieve was temporary. The tightness escalated in the fifth inning, forcing Ryan's early departure from the game.
The young pitcher, who had recently made a comeback after missing the season's first two months with a sore shoulder, is now set for a stint on the injured list. Further tests are scheduled for Sunday to better understand the extent of his injury. Dodger's Manager Dave Roberts expressed his concerns, saying, "Hopefully we have some good news, and we'll see. Obviously, we've got to be careful with him. We'll know more tomorrow."
Constant Rotation Woes
The Dodgers' rotation has been far from stable this season. With Ryan's latest injury, they have been forced to deploy 17 different starters. A key player, Bobby Miller, missed two months due to shoulder inflammation and has struggled to find his form since. Miller holds a staggering 8.07 ERA in seven major-league starts, leading to his demotion. His Triple-A numbers aren't much better, recording a 5.82 ERA, with 16 walks nearly matching his 17 strikeouts over five starts.
Ryan's entry into the Dodgers came via a minor trade from the San Diego Padres for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022. Since joining, he has shown promise, maintaining an impressive 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts this year. The potential in Ryan's performance had earned him recognition from Baseball America as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system during their midseason update.
A Season of Struggles
The Dodgers, who boast a 68-49 record, have had a rollercoaster season. A concerning recent stretch has seen them go 17-18 over their last 35 games. This decline has significantly affected their standings, with the NL West lead shrinking from 8.5 games on July 23 to a precarious 2.5 games.
The sense of urgency within the team is palpable. Roberts encapsulated the collective anxiety, stating, "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting." His words underline the fragility of the Dodgers' current situation, grappling with a destabilized pitching roster at a critical juncture of the season.
As the Dodgers await the results of Ryan's tests, the spotlight remains on their ability to navigate these challenges. Their resilience will be tested in the days ahead, and the hope is for a swift recovery for Ryan, whose early performances have shown exciting potential for the Dodgers' future.