Dodgers Face Another Setback as Rookie Pitcher Ryan Exits Early
The Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching woes continue to mount as rookie right-hander River Ryan exited Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates prematurely due to forearm tightness. The setback is particularly disheartening for a team that has already used 17 different starting pitchers this season, highlighting their ongoing struggle to keep a consistent rotation.
Ryan, who has been a promising addition to the Dodgers' roster since joining the team in a minor trade from the San Diego Padres for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022, left the game after just 4 2/3 innings and 56 pitches. The rookie first experienced discomfort in his forearm during the third inning and attempted to manage the tightness with a massage gun between innings. Unfortunately, the discomfort returned, ultimately forcing his departure in the fifth inning.
"Hopefully we have some good news, and we'll see. Obviously, we've got to be careful with him. We'll know more tomorrow," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, reflecting the team's cautious optimism tempered with the harsh realities of the situation. "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting," Roberts added.
The timing of this injury couldn't be worse for Ryan, who had only recently returned after sitting out the first two months of the season with a sore shoulder. Despite the limited play, Ryan has managed to impress, posting a stellar 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts this year. His performance had earned him a spot as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in a midseason update by Baseball America, a promising indicator of his potential impact on the team.
The injury to Ryan underscores a broader trend of misfortune for the Dodgers' pitching staff. Bobby Miller, another young pitcher, missed two months due to shoulder inflammation and has struggled both in the major leagues and in Triple-A. Miller has an 8.07 ERA in seven major-league starts and hasn't found much success in Triple-A either, where he holds a 5.82 ERA with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) across five starts. The depth of the Dodgers' pitching arsenal is undoubtedly being tested this season.
With a 68-49 record, the Dodgers remain a formidable force in the league. However, recent performance has raised concerns, as the team has gone 17-18 over their last 35 games. This slump has tightened the NL West race, reducing their lead from a comfortable 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games. The Dodgers' ability to rebound from these setbacks will be critical as they push towards the postseason.
Ryan's injury means he will be placed on the injured list and is set to undergo further testing on Sunday. The Dodgers' medical staff and Ryan himself are undoubtedly hoping for a swift and complete recovery, allowing the promising rookie to return to the mound and contribute to the team's push for the playoffs.
As fans and the team alike await updates on Ryan's condition, the Dodgers will need to navigate yet another obstacle in their journey this season. The resilience of the team and their ability to adapt to these challenges may very well determine their success in the weeks to come.