The Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation woes took a significant turn for the worse on Saturday night during their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rookie right-hander River Ryan had to leave the mound in the fifth inning after experiencing forearm tightness, adding yet another blow to an already beleaguered starting rotation.
Ryan's troubles initially began in the third inning when he first felt discomfort in his forearm. The promising young pitcher tried to manage the pain using a massage gun between innings, but by the fifth inning, the tightness had returned, forcing Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to remove him from the game.
The immediate diagnosis was disheartening, landing Ryan on the injured list the following day. Subsequent tests revealed a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, an injury that will necessitate Tommy John surgery. This procedure not only concludes Ryan's 2024 season but is also likely to keep him sidelined for most, if not all, of 2025—a significant setback for the rookie who had shown great potential this year.
River Ryan made his debut earlier this year, and the Dodgers had high hopes for the young pitcher. "Has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter," according to Baseball America, reflecting the high expectations surrounding his arrival. Unfortunately, his journey in the Major Leagues has been marred by injuries. He missed the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder, only to be hit with this devastating elbow injury shortly after his return.
Adding to the Dodgers' rotation challenges, Bobby Miller also missed significant time with shoulder inflammation earlier in the season. After returning, Miller struggled to regain form, posting an 8.07 ERA in seven big-league starts before being demoted. His performance in Triple-A hasn't been much better, recording a 5.82 ERA and nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
The injury to Ryan is particularly damaging as the Dodgers have already used 17 different starting pitchers this season, the most in baseball. This constant shuffling of the pitching staff has put a strain on the team's ability to maintain consistency on the mound. In light of Ryan's injury, the Dodgers have called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack to fill the void.
Despite these setbacks, the Dodgers have managed to maintain a strong record, currently holding a 70-49 standing. They possess the best record in the National League, leading both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres by 3 1/2 games. However, the task ahead for Manager Dave Roberts and his staff is daunting. They must carefully piece together a rotation that can carry the team through the remainder of the season and into the playoffs.
With the postseason approaching, preserving the health of their remaining pitchers and managing innings carefully will be crucial. The Dodgers' ability to stay at the top of the National League standings will largely depend on how effectively they can navigate these pitching challenges while keeping their remaining arms healthy.
As the Dodgers aim to maintain their preeminent position, the focus will be on adapting and overcoming the hurdles presented by these injuries. The team and its supporters are hopeful that replacements like Landon Knack can step up when needed, providing much-needed stability to a rotation that has been anything but steady this season.