The Los Angeles Dodgers have hit another snag in what has been a tumultuous season for their starting rotation. Rookie right-hander River Ryan became the latest pitcher to join the injured list, exiting Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness.
The 24-year-old Ryan was pulled early in the fifth inning after throwing just 56 pitches. Despite showing early signs of discomfort in the third inning, he attempted to work through the pain using a massage gun between innings. Unfortunately, the tightness resurfaced in the fifth inning, prompting his premature departure.
Ryan's early exit forces the Dodgers to yet again adapt in a season marred by pitching woes. “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 Manager Dave Roberts. “But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting.”
Another Setback in a Challenging Season
This setback could not come at a worse time for Ryan, who had only recently returned from missing the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder. The Dodgers have had to scrape together starting pitchers from an ever-changing roster this season, already deploying 17 different pitchers to start games. The constant rotation has undoubtedly disrupted the team’s rhythm and consistency.
Adding to the frustration, Ryan had shown promise in his limited appearances this year. With a 1.33 ERA over four starts, he has been one of the few reliable arms in the Dodgers' rotation. His early success had sparked optimism within the organization, especially considering he was acquired in a minor trade from the San Diego Padres for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022. Ryan was also recently acknowledged by Baseball America as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update, further highlighting his potential.
Bobby Miller's Struggles
Ryan's injury highlights the ongoing struggles and uncertainty in the Dodgers' pitching staff. The Dodgers' rotation has been a revolving door this season. Bobby Miller, who also missed two months with shoulder inflammation, has experienced his share of ups and downs. Miller, once highly regarded, has seen his bright prospects dim, evidenced by an 8.07 ERA in seven major-league starts and a demotion to Triple-A. Even in the minors, Miller has found it difficult to regain his form, posting a 5.82 ERA with almost as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
The Dodgers will undoubtedly feel the weight of these injuries and inconsistent performances, as they strive to maintain their foothold atop the National League West. Currently, the team sits at a 68-49 record, but a recent streak of just 17 wins over their last 35 games has allowed their division lead to shrink substantially. What was once an 8.5-game lead on July 23 has now narrowed to a mere 2.5 games, putting even more pressure on the team to resolve their pitching woes as soon as possible.
Looking Ahead
Ryan’s status will be reevaluated following further testing scheduled for Sunday. Meanwhile, the Dodgers must continue to find creative solutions to their pitching rotation if they hope to stave off the hard-charging competition in the NL West. The team’s management, led by Dave Roberts, remains cautiously optimistic but understands the gravity of the situation.
In these final stretches of the season, every game and every pitch will be scrutinized as the Dodgers navigate their path to the playoffs. The team's fortitude and strategic maneuvering will be tested like never before as they confront these challenges head-on.