The Los Angeles Dodgers' roster woes have taken another sharp turn with the latest setback in their pitching staff. The team’s promising rookie right-hander, River Ryan, exited Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after experiencing forearm tightness, a discomfort that ultimately led to a much graver diagnosis.
Ryan’s troubles began in the third inning when he first felt discomfort in his forearm. Despite using a massage gun between innings to mitigate the pain, the tightness returned in the fifth inning. Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts had no choice but to remove Ryan from the game. The following day, the diagnosis that every pitcher fears was confirmed: a torn UCL in Ryan’s throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery.
The surgical procedure will not only conclude Ryan's 2024 season but also likely sideline him for most, if not all, of 2025. The injury is a significant blow to the Dodgers, who had high hopes for the rookie right-hander after his delayed debut earlier this year. Ryan had already missed the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder, and this latest injury compounds an already tough year for him.
Compounding Rotation Challenges
Ryan's injury is the latest in a series of unfortunate events for the Dodgers' pitching rotation. Bobby Miller, another formidable arm for the team, also missed considerable time this season due to shoulder inflammation. Miller's return to the mound has been anything but smooth; he posted an alarming 8.07 ERA in seven big-league starts before facing demotion. His Triple-A stint hasn’t fared much better, showing a 5.82 ERA with almost as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts. The mounting injuries have forced the Dodgers to cycle through 17 different starting pitchers this season, the most in Major League Baseball.
Next Man Up
To compensate for Ryan’s absence, the Dodgers have called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack. While Knack offers a potential solution, the challenge for Manager Dave Roberts and his staff is to piece together a reliable rotation for the postseason. At present, the Dodgers hold a record of 70-49, the best in the National League, but the margin for error is slim with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres trailing by just 3 1/2 games.
The task ahead is a daunting one. Roberts and his coaching staff must meticulously manage innings and preserve the arms they still have, knowing that their postseason chances hinge on maintaining their current position at the top of the National League standings.
Enduring Optimism Amid Adversity
Despite the setbacks, the Dodgers organization remains resilient. Baseball America once said that Ryan "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter,” a testament to his potential that has only been partially glimpsed this season. Even as they navigate the challenges of an injury-riddled roster, the Dodgers are determined to make a deep postseason run.
The entire team has to pull together, from veterans to rookies, each contributing to the collective goal of holding onto their league-leading position. The focus now extends beyond just winning games; it involves a strategic approach to player management, ensuring that every pitcher remains as healthy as possible for the high-stakes environment of postseason baseball.
As the Dodgers continue their campaign, the road will be undoubtedly tough, peppered with both uncertainties and unwavering determination. The resilience of the team, their ability to adapt, and their strategic prowess will be tested. For now, the Dodgers and their fans can only hope that the remaining pitchers can rise to the occasion and that the spirit of the team will see them through these challenging times.