The Los Angeles Dodgers' Woes Continue with Ryan's Injury
In what has been an extraordinarily challenging season for the Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching rotation, another significant setback occurred on Saturday night. Rookie right-hander River Ryan exited the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth inning due to forearm tightness. This marks the latest blow to a rotation already riddled with injuries and inconsistencies.
Ryan's discomfort initially surfaced in the third inning, prompting him to use a massage gun between innings in an attempt to alleviate the pain. Unfortunately, the tightness returned by the fifth inning, leading Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to remove him from the game. The immediate aftermath saw Ryan placed on the injured list the following day, with subsequent tests revealing a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery. As a result, Ryan's 2024 season has come to an abrupt end, and he is likely to miss most, if not all, of 2025.
This is a particularly bitter pill to swallow for both Ryan and the Dodgers. The rookie had only recently made his debut earlier this year, and the organization had high hopes for him as a mid-rotation starter. According to Baseball America, Ryan "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter," making his prolonged absence a significant loss for the team.
The Dodgers have been grappling with a slew of injury woes this season. Ryan previously missed the first two months due to a sore shoulder. Additionally, Bobby Miller’s season has been marred by shoulder inflammation. Miller struggled upon his return, posting an 8.07 ERA in seven big-league starts before being demoted to Triple-A, where he continued to battle, recording a 5.82 ERA along with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
The rotational struggles have forced the Dodgers to utilize 17 different starting pitchers this season, the most in Major League Baseball. In light of Ryan's injury, the team has called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack to fill the void. Knack’s performance will be crucial as the Dodgers aim to stabilize their rotation for the remainder of the season and into the postseason.
Despite these challenges, the Dodgers have continued to perform at a high level. They currently hold a record of 70-49, boasting the best record in the National League. The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres trail by 3 1/2 games, but maintaining this lead will require careful management of the team's remaining pitchers.
Manager Dave Roberts and his coaching staff face the formidable task of assembling a reliable rotation as they eye a deep postseason run. Preserving the health of their remaining arms and managing innings will be paramount in the weeks ahead. The team will need every ounce of its depth and resilience to maintain their position atop the National League standings.
In the wake of Ryan's season-ending injury, the Dodgers' strategy becomes even more critical. The focus must shift to keeping the remaining rotation members healthy, avoiding overuse, and ensuring that each starter is in peak condition for the playoffs. The strength of their bullpen and the performance of call-ups like Landon Knack will be under intense scrutiny as the team navigates the final stretch of the season.
As the Dodgers look to reinforce their rotation and mitigate the impact of Ryan’s absence, they must also hope for the resurgence of pitchers like Bobby Miller. A return to form for Miller could provide the stability needed to secure their standing and propel them through October.
The journey ahead is fraught with challenges, but the Dodgers' depth and the guidance of their experienced coaching staff could very well turn these adversities into opportunities for younger players to emerge as key contributors. Only time will tell how the rotation holds up, but one thing is certain: the Dodgers will need every bit of their resilience and strategic acumen to navigate these treacherous waters and aim for postseason success.