The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves facing yet another pitching dilemma this season, as rookie right-hander River Ryan was forced to leave Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates early due to an unsettling forearm injury. This incident, which occurred after Ryan had thrown 4 2/3 innings and 56 pitches, continues a worrying trend of pitcher injuries hampering the Dodgers' progress.
Recurring Injury Woes
Ryan, who initially felt discomfort in his forearm during the third inning, attempted to mitigate the issue by using a massage gun between innings. However, the tightness returned in the fifth inning, necessitating his early departure. The promising rookie is now slated to undergo further testing on Sunday, with the forearm injury adding to an already lengthy list of setbacks for the Dodgers’ pitching roster. Talking about the situation, manager Dave Roberts said, “Hopefully we have some good news, and we’ll see. Obviously, we’ve got to be careful with him. We’ll know more tomorrow.” However, Roberts also acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting, “But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it’s always disconcerting.”
A Cumulative Toll
This latest injury is particularly troubling given Ryan's recent return to the mound. The young pitcher had only just come back after missing the season's first two months due to a sore shoulder. Ryan’s absence will undoubtedly be felt; he carries an impressive 1.33 ERA over his four MLB starts this year and was recognized by Baseball America as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system.
Ryan’s injury only compounds the Dodgers' issues with their starting rotation. To date, Los Angeles has utilized 17 different starting pitchers over the course of the season, highlighting the constant state of flux within their roster. Moreover, Bobby Miller, another vital part of the pitching lineup, also missed two months earlier this year with shoulder inflammation. Unfortunately, success has eluded Miller even after his return. He was demoted after posting an 8.07 ERA in his seven major-league starts, and his struggles continued in Triple-A, where he has a 5.82 ERA and a concerning number of walks compared to strikeouts.
A Troubled Trajectory
The Dodgers' inconsistent pitching has inevitably taken its toll on their overall performance. Although they boast a solid 68-49 record, their recent form has been far from convincing. Over the last 35 games, the Dodgers have gone 17-18, and their once comfortable lead in the National League West has diminished dramatically from 8.5 games on July 23rd to just 2.5 games.
Ryan's journey to the Dodgers was a relatively quiet one, joining the team from the San Diego Padres in March 2022 as part of a minor trade for utility player Matt Beaty. However, his rapid rise has been anything but low-key. The rookie quickly established himself as a linchpin of the Dodgers' pitching staff, a fact reflected in his sterling ERA and burgeoning prospect status.
Uncertain Future
The Dodgers' heavy reliance on a rotating cast of pitchers underscores their immediate need for stability on the mound. Ryan's injury adds pressure on a team already grappling with maintaining its postseason ambitions amidst dwindling margins in their division lead. As the focus shifts to Sunday’s tests and the weeks ahead, the hope remains that Ryan’s exit is a precautionary measure rather than a signal of deeper issues.
The Dodgers, renowned for their resilience and depth, have managed to navigate a labyrinth of injuries this season. Still, the continued health of their rotation remains a subject of significant concern. The team must tread carefully as they await the results of Ryan’s tests and hope for a swift recovery that could restore much-needed stability to their pitching lineup.