The 2023 season continues to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers as their pitching staff endures relentless setbacks. The latest blow to the roster comes with the announcement that rookie right-hander River Ryan's season is officially over. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the unfortunate news after Ryan's outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night was cut short due to forearm tightness.
Another Arm Down
Ryan, who joined the Dodgers from the San Diego Padres in a minor trade for Matt Beaty in March 2022, entered Saturday's game as one of the few bright spots amidst the team's pitching struggles. Despite his limited action this season, Ryan had demonstrated promise, maintaining a 1.33 ERA across his four starts and earning a ranking as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system by Baseball America.
However, Ryan's start against the Pirates was disrupted when he first felt discomfort in his forearm during the third inning. Between innings, he attempted to manage the pain using a massage gun, but by the fourth inning, it was clear that the issue was too severe to continue. His night ended after just 4 2/3 innings, marking a premature end to what could have been a pivotal start for the rookie.
“Ryan's season is officially over,” Roberts stated, encapsulating the grim reality faced by the Dodgers.
A Season Marred by Injuries
This latest injury comes after Ryan had already missed the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder. Adding to the team's woes, the Dodgers have relied on a staggering 17 different starting pitchers this season—a troubling statistic that leads the league and speaks volumes about their ongoing struggles to maintain a consistent pitching rotation.
Bobby Miller, another hopeful prospect, has also been hampered by injuries. He lost two months earlier in the year to shoulder inflammation and has struggled to regain his form, posting an 8.07 ERA over seven big-league starts. In Triple-A, his numbers are equally concerning with a 5.82 ERA and a nearly even count of walks to strikeouts.
Rosters in Flux
In the wake of Ryan's injury, the Dodgers have called up Landon Knack to fill his roster spot. Knack, like many others before him this season, will face the challenge of stepping up amidst a turbulent time for the team's pitching staff.
Chasing Consistency
Despite the adversities, the Dodgers maintain a strong standing with a 68-49 record, currently holding the second-best record in the National League. Nevertheless, the team's recent performance has been inconsistent, evidenced by their 17-18 record over the last 35 games. Their lead in the NL West has also dwindled from a comfortable 8.5 games on July 23 to a narrow 2.5 games, emphasizing the impact of their pitching difficulties.
The Dodgers are now striving to secure their position in the playoffs, an endeavor made more complicated by the ongoing flux in their pitching staff. With every game carrying significant weight, the team must find a way to navigate through their pitching challenges and reestablish the dominance that has typically characterized their performance in past seasons.
The road ahead for the Dodgers will demand resilience and perhaps a bit of luck as they look to overcome their injury-plagued rotation and make a deep run in the postseason.