The Los Angeles Dodgers have suffered another significant setback to their already strained pitching rotation. River Ryan, a promising rookie right-hander, exited Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with forearm tightness, a concerning symptom that escalated throughout the game.
Ryan first experienced discomfort in the third inning. Despite attempting to alleviate the pain with a massage gun between innings, the tightness returned by the fifth inning, prompting Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to remove him from the mound. The following day, Ryan was placed on the injured list, and subsequent tests confirmed the worst: a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery. This devastating diagnosis shuts down Ryan for the remainder of the 2024 season and casts significant doubt on his availability for much, if not all, of 2025.
The injury is a major blow to both Ryan and the Dodgers. Having made his debut earlier this year, Ryan was expected to be a key component of the rotation, particularly given his high ceiling as described by Baseball America: "Has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter." His potential had the organization and fans alike eagerly anticipating his contributions in upcoming seasons.
A Series of Misfortunes
Ryan's injury is part of a broader pattern of adversity the Dodgers' pitching staff has faced this season. Ryan himself had already missed the first two months due to a sore shoulder. His colleague, Bobby Miller, also endured a similar plight, being absent for a significant stretch due to shoulder inflammation. Upon his return, Miller struggled to regain form, amassing an 8.07 ERA over seven major league starts before being demoted. In Triple-A, Miller's performance did not markedly improve, recording a 5.82 ERA, with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
Rotational Roulette
The injuries have necessitated a revolving door of starting pitchers for the Dodgers. To date, the team has utilized 17 different starters, the most in baseball this season. This lack of stability has presented continual challenges for Manager Dave Roberts and his coaching staff.
In the wake of Ryan's injury, the Dodgers called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack in an attempt to fill the void. Knack represents another fresh arm in a season where preserving the health of remaining pitchers while managing their innings carefully has become paramount. The Dodgers are currently focused on maintaining their lead in the National League standings, where they hold the best record at 70-49, despite the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres trailing closely behind by just 3 1/2 games.
Outlook for the Postseason
As the Dodgers navigate these turbulent waters, the responsibility falls on Roberts and his staff to piece together a viable rotation for the postseason. This task is no small feat, given the myriad injuries that have plagued their pitching ranks. Successfully strategizing around the health and output of their remaining arms will be crucial.
Despite these setbacks, the team's resilience remains a core theme of their season. The Dodgers' ability to adapt and overcome has been tested repeatedly, and their current standing is a testament to their depth and determination. As the season progresses, the focus will remain on strategic management to ensure that this challenging year culminates in a strong postseason performance.