Dodgers Pitching Woes Continue with River Ryan Injury
The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing yet another hurdle in their tumultuous season as rookie right-hander River Ryan exited Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates early due to forearm tightness. Ryan’s departure adds to the growing list of pitching concerns for the Dodgers, who have already cycled through 17 different starting pitchers this season.
Ryan, a promising newcomer, threw 4 2/3 innings and 56 pitches before the discomfort became unbearable. The young right-hander first experienced tightness in his forearm during the third inning but tried to manage the condition between innings using a massage gun. Unfortunately, the tightness resurfaced in the fifth inning, forcing him to leave the mound.
"Hopefully we have some good news, and we'll see," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "Obviously, we've got to be careful with him. We'll know more tomorrow."
This setback is particularly disheartening for Ryan, who only recently returned to action after missing the first two months of the season with a sore shoulder. In his brief stint in the majors, Ryan has been impressive, posting a remarkable 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts. Ryan joined the Dodgers through a minor trade from the San Diego Padres for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022 and has quickly made a name for himself in the organization. Baseball America even ranked him as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update.
Roberts expressed his concern, stating, "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting."
Ryan's injury comes at a time when the Dodgers are struggling to maintain their momentum. The team currently holds a 68-49 record but has been inconsistent, sporting a 17-18 record over their last 35 games. This recent stretch has significantly tightened the NL West race, narrowing their lead from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games.
The instability in the pitching rotation has been a significant factor in the team's struggles. Bobby Miller, another promising pitcher, missed two months with shoulder inflammation and has had a rocky return to the majors. Miller holds an 8.07 ERA in seven major-league starts, which led to his demotion. In Triple-A, things haven't improved much for Miller, who has a 5.82 ERA with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
The Dodgers' rotation has been in flux all season, relying heavily on a mix of veterans and rookies to navigate through injuries and inconsistencies. The hope was that Ryan's return would provide some much-needed stability, but his latest injury casts uncertainty on that prospect. The team will place Ryan on the injured list while he undergoes further testing on Sunday to determine the severity of the forearm issue.
As the Dodgers move forward, they will have to continue to adapt and find solutions within their pitching staff. With the playoffs on the horizon and the NL West race tightening, every game becomes crucial. For now, the focus remains on River Ryan's health and the hope for a positive outcome in his upcoming tests.