Another Blow to Dodgers' Rotation: River Ryan's Season Ends Prematurely
The Los Angeles Dodgers have taken another hit to their already stretched-thin rotation. In the latest setback, promising rookie right-hander River Ryan exited Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness. The discomfort first emerged in the third inning and intensified to the point where Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts had no choice but to pull him from the mound in the fifth inning.
Ryan, who had shown signs of potential that had the Dodgers’ faithful excited, initially tried to mitigate the pain using a massage gun between innings. Unfortunately, by the fifth inning, the tightness had returned with a vengeance, marking the end of his night and, as it would turn out, his season.
In the immediate aftermath of his departure, the Dodgers placed Ryan on the injured list the following day. Subsequent tests revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery. This devastating injury not only concludes Ryan's 2024 season but could also sideline him for most, if not all, of 2025.
Ryan, who made his MLB debut earlier in the season, has had a tumultuous rookie year. Initially sidelined for the first two months due to a sore shoulder, his return stoked high hopes within the Dodgers organization. Baseball America had noted that Ryan "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter," underscoring the potential seen in the young right-hander.
However, Ryan's departure is just one chapter in a season plagued by injuries and setbacks for the Dodgers' rotation. Bobby Miller, another pitcher in whom the Dodgers had placed much confidence, also missed significant time with shoulder inflammation. His return brought its own set of challenges, as he struggled to find his form, recording an 8.07 ERA over seven major-league starts before being demoted. Miller’s performance in Triple-A didn’t fare much better, with a 5.82 ERA and nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
The Dodgers have had to navigate this season with an unprecedented level of flexibility, using 17 different starting pitchers—the most in baseball. In response to Ryan’s injury, the Dodgers called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack. The challenge now is for Manager Dave Roberts and his coaching staff to assemble a competitive rotation for the postseason while managing the health and innings of an overworked trio of remaining arms.
Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers have maintained a league-best record of 70-49. They sit comfortably atop the National League standings, with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres trailing by 3 1/2 games. The focus for Roberts and his staff is both on preserving their lead and on entering the postseason with a rotation that can withstand the rigors of playoff baseball.
The task at hand is formidable. Balancing the need to rest exhausted pitchers while keeping a competitive edge will test the mettle and strategic acumen of the Dodgers' management. The organization’s ability to adapt and overcome these injury hurdles will be crucial as they aim to cement their position at the top of the National League.
As the Dodgers strive to hold their ground amidst these challenges, fans remain hopeful. The journey to the postseason continues, with each game taking on heightened importance. The resilience of the team and the tactical ingenuity of the coaching staff will be on full display in the months to come.