The Los Angeles Dodgers' Rotational Woes Continue
In an already challenging season for the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching rotation, another setback has emerged. During Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, rookie right-hander River Ryan experienced forearm tightness, eventually forcing him off the mound in the fifth inning. The discomfort initially began in the third, despite Ryan’s efforts to mitigate the pain using a massage gun between innings. By the fifth, the tightness had escalated, compelling Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to remove him from the game.
Post-game evaluations provided grim news. Ryan’s immediate diagnosis led to him being placed on the injured list the following day. Subsequent tests confirmed the worst: a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery. This injury effectively ends Ryan's 2024 season and likely sidelines him for all of 2025.
Ryan’s Potential Cut Short
Ryan made his debut earlier this year, bringing a wave of optimism to the Dodgers, who had envisioned a prominent role for the rookie. Baseball America once noted that Ryan "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter," highlighting the high hopes pinned on his potential. However, this season has been plagued with physical setbacks for the young pitcher, who also missed the first two months due to a sore shoulder.
The struggles of another rookie, Bobby Miller, compound the Dodgers' pitching woes. Miller missed significant time with shoulder inflammation and subsequently struggled upon his return, notching an 8.07 ERA in seven big-league starts before being demoted. His performance in Triple-A wasn’t much better, recording a 5.82 ERA with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
An Unprecedented Season
Manager Dave Roberts and his staff have faced unprecedented challenges this season, having utilized 17 different starting pitchers—the most in Major League Baseball. The Dodgers, currently holding a record of 70-49, maintain the best record in the National League, putting them ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres by 3 1/2 games.
Replacing Ryan in the rotation is right-handed pitcher Landon Knack, who was called up following Ryan's injury. Knack’s addition to the rotation underscores the staff's ongoing efforts to stabilize a beleaguered pitching lineup as the team sets its sights on postseason play.
Managing the Road Ahead
Looking ahead, the primary challenge for the Dodgers will be preserving the health of their remaining arms. With an eye on maintaining their top position in the National League standings, the Dodgers' coaching staff will need to manage innings with exceptional care. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledges the tightrope they must walk: piecing together a functional and competitive rotation while scrupulously managing the workload of each pitcher.
As they make their push towards the postseason, the health and performance of their pitchers will be under intense scrutiny. The Dodgers have shown resilience thus far, but the road ahead is fraught with uncertainty. Consistent strategic planning and perhaps an unexpected breakout performance from a call-up like Landon Knack might be critical in determining the team’s fate this season.
The Dodgers’ situation is a testament to the unpredictable nature of baseball, where even a team with a strong record can face unanticipated adversities. The challenge now lies in how the team adapts and overcomes these obstacles to achieve their ultimate goal.