Dodgers’ Pitching Woes Continue: River Ryan's Season Ends Amid Injury Crisis
The Los Angeles Dodgers, a team with a storied legacy and lofty aspirations, have faced a season plagued by pitching miseries. Adding to their list of injured starters, rookie right-hander River Ryan’s promising season has come to an abrupt end. In a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night, Ryan's outing was cut short to just 4 2/3 innings due to forearm tightness.
Ryan, who was acquired from the San Diego Padres in a minor trade for Matt Beaty in March 2022, has been a beacon of hope in an otherwise shaky rotation. Boasting a remarkable 1.33 ERA across his four starts, Ryan quickly emerged as a key player for the Dodgers and was ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the system by Baseball America.
A Season Cut Short
“Ryan's season is officially over,” announced Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, confirming the unfortunate news. Ryan first felt discomfort in his forearm during the third inning against the Pirates but continued to pitch, using a massage gun between innings to manage the pain. However, the severity of the injury necessitated his early exit from the game.
This injury comes as yet another blow to the Dodgers' pitching staff, which has already seen an alarming number of injuries this season. Ryan missed the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder. His absence adds to the Dodgers' growing list of sidelined pitchers.
Injuries Plague the Rotation
The Dodgers have had to utilize an astounding 17 different starting pitchers this season, leading the league in this dubious category. Bobby Miller, another pitcher who had high expectations, lost two months earlier this year to shoulder inflammation. Unfortunately, Miller has struggled to find his form in the big leagues, recording an 8.07 ERA over seven starts. His performance in Triple-A further compounds the concern, where he has posted a 5.82 ERA with an almost equal number of walks to strikeouts.
Landon Knack Steps In
In an attempt to fill the void left by Ryan, the Dodgers have called up Landon Knack to take his place on the roster. The team is hoping Knack can stabilize their rotation and bring some consistency as they push towards the playoffs.
A Tight Race to the Playoffs
Despite their challenges on the mound, the Dodgers continue to post a strong overall record. At 68-49, they hold the second-best record in the National League. However, recent performances have raised some red flags. The team has gone 17-18 in its last 35 games, seeing their NL West lead shrink from 8.5 games on July 23 to a precarious 2.5 games. As the season heads down the stretch, every game becomes crucial if the Dodgers are to secure their position in the playoffs.
The pitching staff's health will undoubtedly play a significant role in determining how far the Dodgers can go. With multiple key players sidelined and returning from injury, the pressure is on to find reliable arms to carry the team through the remainder of the regular season and into the postseason.
As the Dodgers continue navigating their injury-riddled season, the resolve of their roster will be tested. They have the talent and depth to overcome these adversities, but the margin for error is slim. The coming weeks will reveal if they can hold their ground and emerge as a resilient force in October.