Another Blow to the Dodgers Rotation: River Ryan's Season Ends with Torn UCL
The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again facing adversity with their pitching roster, as promising rookie right-hander River Ryan has been dealt a devastating blow. During Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Ryan exited in the fifth inning due to forearm tightness, a discomfort that first emerged in the third inning. Despite trying to alleviate the pain with a massage gun between innings, the tightness in Ryan's forearm persisted, ultimately leading to his removal from the game by Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts.
Following the game, Ryan was placed on the injured list. Subsequent tests confirmed the worst fears: a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, which necessitates Tommy John surgery. This severe injury concludes Ryan's 2024 season and will likely keep him sidelined for most, if not all, of 2025.
Ryan made his debut earlier this year, and the Dodgers had high hopes for the rookie right-hander. Renowned for his potential, Baseball America had remarked that Ryan "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter." Despite missing the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder, he was expected to be a key component of the Dodgers' rotation.
The Dodgers' rotation woes do not end with Ryan. Fellow pitcher Bobby Miller also missed significant time with shoulder inflammation. Upon his return, Miller faced struggles, logging an 8.07 ERA in seven major league starts before being demoted. His performance in Triple-A didn’t fare much better, with a 5.82 ERA and nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts. These injuries and performance issues have forced the Dodgers to use an unprecedented 17 different starting pitchers this season, the most in baseball.
In response to Ryan’s injury, the Dodgers called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack to fill the void. With a current record of 70-49, the Dodgers hold the best record in the National League. However, the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are trailing by just 3 1/2 games, making the next few weeks crucial for maintaining their lead.
Manager Dave Roberts and his staff now face the significant challenge of piecing together a rotation for the postseason. The health of the remaining pitchers and carefully managing their innings will be of paramount importance as the Dodgers aim to stay on top of the National League standings.
As the Dodgers navigate through this tumultuous period, the resilience of the team and the strategic decisions made by the coaching staff will be put to the ultimate test. The loss of River Ryan underscores the volatility and unpredictability of a baseball season, where a team's fortunes can pivot in an instant due to the health of its players.
Despite the setbacks, the Dodgers' depth and talent have allowed them to remain competitive. The next phase of the season will reveal whether this resilience can carry them through to a successful postseason run, reflecting the true mettle of the franchise.