Dodgers Face Another Setback as Rookie Pitcher River Ryan Hits Injured List
The Los Angeles Dodgers' tumultuous season took another unfortunate turn as rookie right-hander River Ryan left Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness. Ryan’s early exit came after delivering a promising performance, pitching 4 2/3 innings and making 56 pitches before feeling discomfort.
Ryan initially experienced tightness in his forearm during the third inning. Despite efforts to loosen up between innings, including massaging the area with a massage gun, the irritation persisted and ultimately forced him to leave the mound in the fifth inning. The rookie's condition will be closely monitored as he is scheduled for further testing on Sunday. According to team sources, Ryan will also be placed on the injured list.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed concern regarding Ryan's health, 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." Roberts added, "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting."
This setback adds to an already challenging season for the Dodgers' pitching staff, which has seen a revolving door of starters due to injuries and performance issues. Remarkably, the team has utilized 17 different starting pitchers this season. Ryan had only recently returned to the roster after missing the initial two months with a sore shoulder. Despite the rocky road, he has shown considerable promise, boasting an impressive 1.33 ERA in his four Major League starts this year.
Another young pitcher, Bobby Miller, also faced struggles this season. Miller, who missed two months due to shoulder inflammation, posted a disappointing 8.07 ERA in seven Major League starts before being sent back down to Triple-A. His performance there hasn't fared much better, with a 5.82 ERA and nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
River Ryan’s journey to the Dodgers began with a minor trade from the San Diego Padres for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022. Since then, Ryan has become a valued asset, recognized by Baseball America as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update.
Struggles Amid Success
Despite their pitching woes, the Dodgers have managed to hang on to a respectable 68-49 record. However, recent performance has been less encouraging, with a 17-18 record over their last 35 games. This dip in form has caused their lead in the NL West to shrink dramatically, from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games.
The Dodgers' management and fans alike will be hoping for positive news regarding Ryan's condition. Continuously dealing with injuries, especially among their pitching staff, has been a significant obstacle for the team this season. As they push towards the postseason, having a healthy and effective pitching roster will be crucial.
The next steps for the Dodgers will depend heavily on the results of Ryan's tests. As the organization waits for more information, the sentiment echoed around the team is one of cautious concern. The capacity to endure and adapt to these challenges will be essential if the Dodgers are to navigate this precarious part of their season and make a strong playoff run.