Injury Woes Continue for Dodgers as Rookie Right-Hander Ryan Faces Tommy John Surgery
The Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching rotation, already strained by a series of injuries, suffered another significant setback with the loss of promising rookie right-hander River Ryan. Ryan, who made his debut earlier this year, was removed from Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after experiencing forearm tightness, which was later diagnosed as a torn UCL in his throwing elbow. This devastating injury will necessitate Tommy John surgery, effectively ending his 2024 season and likely sidelining him for most, if not all, of 2025.
Ryan's Struggles on the Mound
Ryan's troubles began in the third inning, where he first felt discomfort in his forearm. Despite using a massage gun to alleviate some of the pain between innings, the tightness returned by the fifth inning, prompting Manager Dave Roberts to remove him from the game. The immediate diagnosis resulted in Ryan being placed on the injured list the following day. Subsequent tests confirmed the serious nature of the injury, a significant blow to both the player and the team's hopes.
The Dodgers had high expectations for Ryan, a rookie with immense potential. Baseball America had noted that he "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter," and his early-season performance had hinted at a promising future. However, Ryan's debut year was already marred by a series of physical setbacks, including a sore shoulder that sidelined him for the first two months of the season. The latest injury only compounds the challenges he has faced in his rookie year.
Rotation in Turmoil
Ryan is not the only Dodgers pitcher to face significant time away from the mound this season. Another promising right-hander, Bobby Miller, also missed considerable time due to shoulder inflammation. Upon his return, Miller struggled to regain his form, posting an 8.07 ERA in seven major league starts before being demoted to Triple-A. His performance there showed little improvement, with a 5.82 ERA and nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
The Dodgers have been forced to use an astounding 17 different starting pitchers this season, the most in baseball, showcasing the depth of their injury woes and the challenges faced by their coaching staff. In a move to fill the void left by Ryan, the Dodgers called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack. However, the task of piecing together an effective postseason rotation falls heavily on Manager Dave Roberts and his staff, who must carefully manage the remaining healthy arms and their innings.
Dodgers Holding Strong
Despite these pitching challenges, the Dodgers remain at the top of the National League standings with an impressive 70-49 record. They hold the best record in the National League, maintaining a slender but crucial lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres, who trail by 3 1/2 games. This speaks volumes about the resilience and depth of the team, which has managed to stay competitive despite the continuous rotation shuffle.
As the Dodgers look to preserve their position at the top and aim for a deep postseason run, the focus will be on preserving the health of their remaining pitchers. This careful management will be crucial in navigating the final stretch of the regular season and preparing for the high stakes of October baseball.
The road ahead will not be easy, but with the leadership of Dave Roberts and the resilience of the team, the Dodgers will strive to overcome these challenges and continue their pursuit of another championship. The loss of River Ryan is a significant blow, but in the ever-unpredictable landscape of professional sports, it is yet another hurdle for the Dodgers to overcome as they chase glory.