The Los Angeles Dodgers have encountered another setback as their beleaguered pitching staff suffers another blow. Rookie right-hander River Ryan exited Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates early, dealing a significant hit to the team’s rotation stability.
Another Arm Down
Ryan left the mound after pitching 4 2/3 innings, citing forearm tightness as the reason for his early departure. It was a troubling sight for Dodgers fans who have watched their team's starting pitcher carousel continue to spin uncontrollably this season. Ryan first felt discomfort during the third inning but battled through it until the fifth inning, when the tightness became too much to bear. He tried to ease the discomfort with a massage gun between innings, but the reprieve was temporary.
Ryan’s departure means he will be placed on the injured list, with further testing scheduled for Sunday to determine the extent of the injury. This marks another stint on the sidelines for the young pitcher, who had only recently returned after missing the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder.
"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."
However, Roberts also acknowledged the gravity of the situation, adding, "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting."
Dodgers' Unrelenting Pitching Woes
Ryan is the latest in a long line of Dodgers pitchers to hit the injured list this season. The team has now used an astounding 17 different starting pitchers throughout the year. This revolving door has had a noticeable impact on the Dodgers' performance on the mound and in the standings.
Bobby Miller, another of the Dodgers' young arms, missed two months earlier this season with shoulder inflammation. After making seven major-league starts and posting an 8.07 ERA, Miller was demoted. In Triple-A, his struggles continued with a 5.82 ERA, nearly matching his number of walks (16) to strikeouts (17) in five starts.
A Promising Prospect
Ryan's potential has been a bright spot for the Dodgers amidst their pitching struggles. Acquired in a minor trade from the San Diego Padres for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022, Ryan has made a noticeable impact when healthy. This season, he boasts an impressive 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts. Baseball America also recognized Ryan’s potential, naming him the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update.
Team Performance Under Scrutiny
The Dodgers currently hold a 68-49 record, but their recent performance raises alarms. The team has gone 17-18 over their last 35 games, causing their NL West lead to shrink from 8.5 games on July 23 to a mere 2.5 games. This latest setback with Ryan complicates their efforts to regain consistency and secure their division lead.
The Dodgers' front office and coaching staff are undoubtedly scrambling for solutions to stabilize their rotation and keep the team's playoff hopes alive. As they await the results of Ryan's tests, the team and its fans hold their collective breath, hoping for positive news amidst a season riddled with adversity on the pitching front.