Dodgers Face Setback as Rookie Pitcher River Ryan Exits with Injury
The Los Angeles Dodgers have run into another hurdle this season, as rookie right-hander River Ryan had to leave Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates prematurely due to forearm tightness. The injury marks yet another blow to the Dodgers' already beleaguered rotation.
Ryan was pulled from the game after pitching 4 2/3 innings and throwing 56 pitches. The discomfort initially emerged during the third inning, but it wasn’t enough to keep Ryan from trying to push through. He attempted to alleviate the tension with a massage gun between innings, but the tightness returned in the fifth, forcing his early departure.
“Hopefully we have some good news, and we'll see,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts commented. “Obviously, we've got to be careful with him. We'll know more tomorrow."
Ryan will be placed on the injured list and is scheduled to undergo further testing on Sunday. This latest setback comes just after Ryan had recently resumed pitching, following a two-month absence earlier this season due to a sore shoulder.
"But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it’s always disconcerting," Roberts added.
A Season Fraught with Injuries
The Dodgers have had a frustrating season with their pitching rotation. Remarkably, they have already used 17 different starting pitchers. Among the notable names, Bobby Miller missed two months dealing with shoulder inflammation. Before his demotion, Miller recorded an 8.07 ERA across seven major-league starts. His performance didn’t stabilize much in Triple-A either, where he posted a 5.82 ERA, with 16 walks and 17 strikeouts over five starts.
Ryan's injury is a particularly hard pill to swallow, given the promise the young pitcher has shown. Acquired in a minor trade from the San Diego Padres in March 2022, in exchange for utility man Matt Beaty, Ryan had quickly made a significant impact. In his four MLB starts this year, he has a sterling 1.33 ERA. His impressive performance has not gone unnoticed; Baseball America recently recognized him as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system during their midseason update.
Team Struggles Compounded
The Dodgers' current record stands at 68-49, but they have struggled somewhat over the past 35 games, going 17-18 during that stretch. Their lead in the competitive NL West has also narrowed considerably; from a commanding 8.5 games on July 23 to a tight 2.5 games.
As one of the league's most storied franchises, the Dodgers are all too familiar with the highs and lows of a grueling baseball season. Nevertheless, the mounting injuries to key pitchers undeniably test the team’s depth and resilience. The coming week should provide more clarity on Ryan's condition and the immediate future of the Dodgers' pitching rotation.
For now, all eyes will be on the medical reports, as fans and the organization alike hope for positive news regarding Ryan’s forearm. The Dodgers will certainly need all hands on deck as they strive to maintain their position in the standings and push towards postseason success.