The Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff continues to struggle, a situation that has been further exacerbated by the recent injury to rookie right-hander River Ryan. The 25-year-old pitcher’s season has officially come to an end after he experienced forearm tightness during his outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.
Ryan, who was traded to the Dodgers from the San Diego Padres in a minor deal for Matt Beaty in March 2022, started his professional journey with high hopes. Ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system by Baseball America, Ryan showcased his potential early in the season, recording an impressive 1.33 ERA across his four starts.
However, his promising campaign was significantly hindered by injuries. Ryan missed the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder, and this latest setback has now officially sidelined him for the rest of the year. Manager Dave Roberts solemnly confirmed, "Ryan's season is officially over."
A Tough Outing
During his game against the Pirates, Ryan first felt discomfort in his forearm during the third inning. Despite using a massage gun between innings to manage the pain, he was forced to exit the game after just 4 2/3 innings. Ryan’s premature departure from the mound highlights a recurring issue for the Dodgers this season: the inability to maintain consistent health within their starting rotation.
Mounting Injuries
In fact, Ryan’s injury is only the latest in a series of setbacks for Dodgers pitchers. Bobby Miller, another key player, lost two months earlier this year to shoulder inflammation. Miller’s return to the major league has been less than stellar, posting an 8.07 ERA over seven starts. His performance in Triple-A hasn’t been much better, with a 5.82 ERA and a worrying number of walks nearly matching his strikeouts.
The Dodgers have been forced to rely on a staggering 17 different starting pitchers this season, a league-high that underscores the depth of their injury woes. This constant rotation has likely played a role in the team’s inconsistent performance as of late. The Dodgers have gone 17-18 in their last 35 games, causing their NL West lead to shrink from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games. Despite holding the second-best record in the National League with a 68-49 mark, their recent form has raised concerns about their playoff prospects.
Adjusting on the Fly
To fill the gap left by Ryan, the Dodgers have called up Landon Knack. As the team continues to jockey for playoff positioning, they will need to rely on contributions from across their roster. The continual shuffling of the pitching staff will demand adaptability and resilience from both the players and the coaching staff.
As the regular season edges closer to its conclusion, the Dodgers must find a way to stabilize their rotation and recapture their early-season dominance. The ability to manage and overcome these injuries will be crucial. With their NL West lead rapidly diminishing, they can ill afford further missteps.