Another Blow to Dodgers' Rotation: River Ryan Sidelined with Torn UCL
The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced another setback to their already strained pitching rotation. River Ryan, a promising rookie right-hander, exited Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness, further compounding the challenges facing the Dodgers' mound staff.
Ryan's troubles began in the third inning when he first experienced discomfort in his forearm. Despite his attempts to alleviate the pain using a massage gun between innings, the tightness persisted. By the fifth inning, the discomfort returned, forcing Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to remove him from the game.
The hope that Ryan's injury might be minor was quickly dashed. The immediate diagnosis landed Ryan on the injured list the following day, and subsequent tests confirmed the worst: a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery. This devastating injury effectively concludes Ryan's 2024 season and could likely sideline him for most, if not all, of 2025.
Ryan made his debut earlier this year, and the Dodgers had high expectations for the young pitcher. Baseball America noted that Ryan "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter." However, his journey has been marred by injuries; he missed the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder. Now, his promising rookie season has come to an abrupt end.
The woes of the Dodgers' rotation are not limited to Ryan. Bobby Miller, another young pitcher, missed significant time due to shoulder inflammation. Since his return, Miller has struggled on the mound, recording an 8.07 ERA in seven big-league starts before being demoted. His performance in Triple-A has been similarly lackluster, with a 5.82 ERA and nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
Overall, the Dodgers have been forced to use 17 different starting pitchers this season, the most in baseball. This constant shuffling of the rotation has made it difficult for the team to maintain consistency on the mound. In a bid to fill the gap left by Ryan, the Dodgers have called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack.
Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers currently hold a record of 70-49, the best in the National League. The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are trailing the Dodgers by 3 1/2 games. As the postseason looms, Manager Dave Roberts and his staff are tasked with piecing together a rotation capable of competing at the highest level.
The management's immediate focus will be on preserving the health of their remaining arms and managing innings carefully to avoid further injuries. This cautious approach is crucial if the Dodgers aim to maintain their position at the top of the National League standings and make a deep postseason run.
Injuries are an inevitable part of the sport, but the depth and frequency of the Dodgers' rotation issues this season have been particularly challenging. Fans will be hoping that the team can navigate these turbulent times and still deliver a strong performance as the playoffs approach.