Dodgers Face Another Setback as Rookie Pitcher River Ryan Exits with Injury
The Los Angeles Dodgers are grappling with another blow to their pitching staff, as rookie right-hander River Ryan exited Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates prematurely. Ryan left the mound after 4 2/3 innings and 56 pitches due to forearm tightness. The discomfort first surfaced in the third inning and persisted despite his efforts to alleviate it with a massage gun between innings.
By the fifth inning, the tightness returned, forcing Ryan to leave the game altogether. He will be placed on the injured list and is slated for further testing on Sunday. This latest setback is particularly disheartening as Ryan had only recently returned to the lineup following a two-month absence due to a sore shoulder.
Manager Dave Roberts offered a cautious outlook, stating, "Hopefully we have some good news, and we'll see. Obviously, we've got to be careful with him. We'll know more tomorrow." He added, "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting."
A Season Marred by Injuries
The Dodgers have experienced a turbulent season with their starting rotation, employing 17 different starters thus far. This instability is underscored by the recent struggles of another young pitcher, Bobby Miller. Miller missed two months due to shoulder inflammation and has struggled since his return, posting an 8.07 ERA over seven major-league starts before being demoted. In Triple-A, his performance has not been significantly better, with a 5.82 ERA, and he has nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
Ryan's strong performances thus far in limited action had been a bright spot for the Dodgers. Acquired from the San Diego Padres in a minor trade for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022, Ryan has managed a sparkling 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts this season. His potential was recognized by Baseball America, which ranked him as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update.
Pressure Mounts in the NL West
Overall, the Dodgers have maintained a strong record of 68-49, but recent form has seen them stumble. The team has gone 17-18 over their last 35 games, causing their lead in the NL West to shrink from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games. This precarious position only amplifies the impact of losing another key starting pitcher.
As the Dodgers await further evaluation on Ryan's condition, the hope is to receive some positive news to bolster a rotation that has been in a state of flux all season. The team faces a critical juncture where each loss and every injury could significantly influence their quest for postseason success.