The Los Angeles Dodgers faced yet another twist in their season with the unexpected early exit of rookie right-hander River Ryan during Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ryan, who had only recently come back from a shoulder injury, walked off the mound after 4 2/3 innings and 56 pitches due to tightness in his forearm, a move that has added to the series of challenges for the Dodgers' starting rotation this year.
Ryan's Early Departure
Ryan first experienced discomfort in his forearm during the third inning. Despite loosening up between innings using a massage gun, the tightness returned in the fifth inning, forcing him to leave the game. “Hopefully we have some good news, and we’ll see. Obviously, we’ve got to be careful with him. We’ll know more tomorrow,” manager Dave Roberts commented, voicing the concern that comes with any pitcher dealing with forearm issues. “But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it’s always disconcerting.”
As a precautionary step, Ryan will be placed on the injured list and is slated to undergo further testing on Sunday to determine the extent of the injury.
History of Injuries
This isn’t the first time Ryan has faced health issues this season. Having already missed the first two months of the campaign due to a sore shoulder, his recent injury marks another unwelcome chapter in his efforts to establish himself in the major leagues. Currently boasting an impressive 1.33 ERA across his four MLB starts, Ryan was pegged as a promising talent since being acquired from the San Diego Padres in a minor trade involving Matt Beaty in March 2022.
Decimated Pitching Staff
Ryan's setback compounds the mounting woes for the Dodgers' pitching staff, which has now seen 17 different starting pitchers take the mound this season — a testament to the ongoing instability within their rotation. Bobby Miller's struggles stand as another stark example. After missing two months due to shoulder inflammation, Miller returned but posted a dismal 8.07 ERA over seven major-league starts, resulting in his demotion. Even in Triple-A, Miller failed to reclaim his previous form, recording a 5.82 ERA with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
Impact on Team Performance
The continual shuffling of the Dodgers' pitching staff has had a tangible impact on their season's trajectory. The team, which holds a 68-49 record, has not been able to maintain their early-season dominance. Over the last 35 games, they have gone 17-18, causing their comfortable NL West lead to shrink significantly, from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games. Such inconsistency makes each injury, like Ryan's, even more significant and potentially detrimental to their postseason aspirations.
Looking Ahead
As the Dodgers prepare for further testing on Ryan, the entire organization and fanbase will undoubtedly be hoping for good news. However, the inherent caution surrounding forearm injuries, especially given their potential severity, underscores the apprehensive state of the team. With only a slim lead in the division and key players consistently battling injuries, the Dodgers find themselves at a crucial juncture of the season.
Despite the challenges, the Dodgers' resilience and depth will be put to the test as they strive to navigate these setbacks and maintain their quest for another division title.