It appears the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching woes continue to mount as another starting pitcher falls to injury. The latest casualty is rookie right-hander River Ryan, who left Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates early due to forearm tightness. The incident marks a significant setback for a team already grappling with a slew of pitcher injuries this season.
Rookie Pitcher Forced to Exit Early
River Ryan, who has been a bright spot in the Dodgers' rotation, exited the game after pitching 4 2/3 innings and throwing 56 pitches. The discomfort began mid-game, with Ryan first feeling forearm tightness in the third inning. He attempted to manage the discomfort with a massage gun between innings, but the tightness returned in the fifth inning, leading to his premature departure. Following the game, the decision was made to place Ryan on the injured list, with further testing scheduled for Sunday.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed his concern, stating, "Hopefully we have some good news, and we'll see. Obviously, we've got to be careful with him. We'll know more tomorrow." He added, "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting."
Pitching Woes Continue for the Dodgers
Ryan's injury is particularly unfortunate given his recent return from a sore shoulder that had sidelined him for the first two months of the season. With his latest injury, the Dodgers have now used 17 different starting pitchers this season, underscoring the instability of their rotation.
The team had high hopes for Bobby Miller, another young pitcher, but his season has also been plagued by injuries and inconsistency. Miller missed two months due to shoulder inflammation and has struggled at the major league level, posting an 8.07 ERA in seven starts before being demoted. His performance in Triple-A has been similarly underwhelming, with a 5.82 ERA and a troubling walk-to-strikeout ratio.
A Promising Season Takes a Turn
River Ryan has been one of the few bright spots for the Dodgers this season. Acquired in a minor trade from the San Diego Padres for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022, Ryan has impressed with a 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts this year. His performance even earned him recognition from Baseball America, which ranked him as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update.
Despite these individual successes, the team's overall performance has been inconsistent. The Dodgers hold a 68-49 record but have struggled recently, going 17-18 over their last 35 games. This downturn has significantly affected their standing in the NL West, where their lead has shrunk from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games.
Future Uncertainties
The current state of the Dodgers' pitching staff raises questions about the team's ability to maintain its competitiveness in the crucial stretch run of the season. With Ryan's status uncertain and Miller still finding his footing, the Dodgers will need to find stability within their pitching rotation to stay in contention.
Manager Dave Roberts and the Dodgers' coaching staff will have to make strategic decisions moving forward, prioritizing the health and effectiveness of their pitching talent while trying to claw back their NL West lead. As Ryan undergoes further testing, the team and its fans will be anxiously awaiting updates, hoping for a quick recovery and return to form for the promising rookie.
For now, the Dodgers must continue to navigate the choppy waters of an unpredictable season, relying on their depth and resilience to stay afloat in the highly competitive National League.