It's another challenging day for the Los Angeles Dodgers, as the team faces yet another blow to their starting rotation. Rookie right-hander River Ryan exited Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates early due to forearm tightness, marking another setback for a pitching staff already battling numerous injuries.
Ryan's departure came after he had thrown 56 pitches over 4 2/3 innings. The discomfort initially surfaced in the third inning, and although he tried to alleviate it with a massage gun between innings, the tightness returned in the fifth inning, forcing him to leave the game. "Hopefully we have some good news, and we'll see," said Manager Dave Roberts. "Obviously, we've got to be careful with him. We'll know more tomorrow."
Unfortunately, the news didn't improve overnight. Ryan is set to be placed on the injured list and will undergo further testing on Sunday. This is particularly disheartening for the rookie, who had only recently come back after missing the first two months of the season with a sore shoulder.
Injury-Stricken Rotation
The Dodgers have now used a staggering 17 different starting pitchers this season, a statistic that underscores the instability in their rotation. Bobby Miller, another promising arm, missed two months with shoulder inflammation and currently holds an 8.07 ERA in seven major-league starts. Miller’s struggles didn't end with his demotion; in Triple-A, he has a 5.82 ERA with almost as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
Ryan, who joined the Dodgers in a minor trade from the San Diego Padres for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022, had been a bright spot. With a 1.33 ERA over his four MLB starts this year, he had shown considerable promise. Additionally, Baseball America ranked him as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers’ system in their midseason update.
The Pressure Mounts
The timing of Ryan's setback couldn't be worse for the Dodgers. With a 68-49 record, the team has experienced a noticeable decline, going 17-18 over their last 35 games. This has caused their NL West lead to shrink from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games. The mounting pressure on the team is palpable, as they struggle to maintain their foothold at the top of the division.
Manager Dave Roberts didn't hide his concern, "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting," he remarked. The forearm tightness that Ryan experienced is particularly troubling, as it often signals more severe underlying issues that can impact a pitcher's career.
A Team in Need of Stability
The Dodgers' season has been marred by inconsistency, particularly within their pitching staff. They have had to adapt continuously, adjusting their roster and tactics to address the frequent absences of key players. The absence of stability has undeniably affected their performance on the field.
For the Dodgers, finding a way to navigate through these injuries and regain their early-season form is critical. The team’s depth, often considered a strength, is being tested to its limits. As the season progresses, every game becomes increasingly significant, and the margin for error continues to diminish.
The coming days will be crucial for Ryan and the Dodgers. The team and its fans will anxiously await the results of his further testing, hoping for a speedy recovery. While the road ahead is fraught with challenges, the Dodgers' resolve will be pivotal in determining their journey through the rest of the season.