The Los Angeles Dodgers face yet another setback in their turbulent season, as they have lost rookie pitcher River Ryan to a torn UCL in his throwing elbow. Ryan’s injury, confirmed by subsequent tests following his exit from Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, necessitates Tommy John surgery. This devastating blow will sideline the promising right-hander for the entirety of the 2024 season and likely much of the 2025 season as well.
Ryan’s night came to an unfortunate end during the fifth inning after experiencing persistent forearm tightness. This discomfort wasn’t new; it had surfaced as early as the third inning. Despite trying to ease the pain with a massage gun between innings, the tightness returned, prompting Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to pull him from the game. The immediate diagnosis landed Ryan on the injured list the next day.
A Season Marred by Injuries
River Ryan’s injury adds to a growing list of challenges for the Dodgers' rotation this season. The team, already struggling with a slew of injuries, had high hopes for Ryan, who made his debut earlier this year. His season was initially delayed due to a sore shoulder, causing him to miss the first two months. Nevertheless, Ryan showed potential, contributing solid innings to the rotation.
Bobby Miller, another young pitcher, has also had his share of struggles. After dealing with shoulder inflammation, Miller returned to the majors only to post a troubling 8.07 ERA over seven starts, which led to his demotion. His performance in Triple-A didn’t fare much better, where he recorded a 5.82 ERA, with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
Rotation in Disarray
The Dodgers have cycled through a staggering 17 different starting pitchers this season, the most in baseball. This statistic underscores the instability and challenges the team has faced on the mound. Manager Dave Roberts now faces the complex task of piecing together a rotation that can not only sustain the team through the end of the regular season but also compete in the postseason.
To cover the void left by Ryan, the Dodgers called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack. As the team navigates this trying period, the focus now shifts to preserving the health of their remaining pitchers and managing their innings carefully.
The Road Ahead
Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers have managed to maintain an impressive record of 70-49, holding the best record in the National League. They lead the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres by 3 1/2 games. This lead places them in a strong position, but the road ahead remains fraught with challenges.
Manager Dave Roberts and his coaching staff will need to employ all their experience and ingenuity to keep the team’s rotation effective and their bullpen fresh. The health and performance of their remaining arms will be critical as they aim to secure their position at the top of the National League standings.
“Has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter,” Baseball America once said of River Ryan. While his journey is momentarily halted, the Dodgers and their fans will undoubtedly look forward to his return, hopefully stronger and more resilient.
In the meantime, the organization and its supportive fanbase will continue to rally behind their team, navigating each pitch and every inning with cautious optimism. The ability to adapt and persevere has been a hallmark of the Dodgers, and this season is proving to be no exception.