The Los Angeles Dodgers' Rotation Woes Worsen with Ryan's Injury
The Los Angeles Dodgers have encountered another setback to their already struggling rotation. On Saturday night, rookie pitcher River Ryan exited the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after experiencing forearm tightness. This latest injury adds to the growing list of concerns for the Dodgers' pitching staff as they aim to secure their position at the top of the National League standings.
Ryan’s troubles began during the third inning when 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. This forced Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to remove Ryan from the game. The immediate diagnosis was worrying enough to land Ryan on the injured list the following day, and subsequent tests confirmed a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery.
Ryan's injury effectively concludes his 2024 season and will likely sideline him for most, if not all, of 2025. This comes as a significant blow to the Dodgers, who had high hopes for the rookie right-hander. River Ryan made his debut earlier this year but missed the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder. His potential was once lauded by Baseball America, stating he "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter."
The Dodgers’ Pitching Challenges
Ryan's injury is not an isolated incident for the Dodgers this season. Another key pitcher, Bobby Miller, also missed significant time due to shoulder inflammation. Since his return, Miller has struggled, recording an 8.07 ERA in seven big-league starts before being demoted. His performance at Triple-A hasn't been much better, posting a 5.82 ERA with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
This season, the Dodgers have used 17 different starting pitchers, the most in baseball. The continuous shuffle has left the team in a challenging position as they attempt to piece together a reliable rotation for the postseason. The task now falls on Manager Dave Roberts and his staff to manage the remaining arms carefully while preserving their health.
Call-up and Current Standings
In light of Ryan's injury, the Dodgers called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack to fill the void. The team, currently holding a 70-49 record, remains in a strong position in the National League. They hold the best record in the league, with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres trailing by 3 1/2 games.
The focus for the Dodgers will be on maintaining their lead in the standings, while also managing innings and keeping their remaining pitchers healthy. As the team navigates through these challenges, the goal remains to secure their position at the top of the National League and prepare for a deep postseason run.
Future Implications
With River Ryan sidelined, the Dodgers will need to rely on their depth and the performance of call-up players like Landon Knack. The management’s ability to effectively piece together a competitive rotation will be tested as they approach the critical stretch of the season. Each game will be crucial in maintaining their lead and ensuring that they enter the playoffs with momentum.
The Dodgers' rotation issues highlight the unpredictable nature of baseball, where injuries can quickly derail the best-laid plans. For now, fans will be looking to Roberts and his staff to steer the team through these turbulent times and keep their championship aspirations alive.