Dodgers Face Another Pitching Setback with Ryan's Injury
The Los Angeles Dodgers have encountered yet another hurdle in their already turbulent season. Rookie right-hander River Ryan was forced to exit Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness, adding to the team's growing list of pitching woes.
Ryan's departure came after 4 2/3 innings and 56 pitches. He first noticed discomfort during the third inning, which he attempted to alleviate with a massage gun between innings. Despite his efforts, the tightness returned in the fifth inning, ultimately leading to his early exit.
"Hopefully we have some good news, and we'll see. Obviously, we've got to be careful with him. We'll know more tomorrow," said Manager Dave Roberts, echoing the team's sentiment regarding Ryan's condition. "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting."
The injury is a significant setback for Ryan, who had only recently returned after missing the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder. His performance since rejoining the team has been impressive, boasting a 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts this year. Baseball America even recognized Ryan as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update.
Ryan's journey to the Dodgers was marked by a minor trade from the San Diego Padres for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022. Since then, he has worked diligently to cement his place in the starting rotation. Unfortunately, his recent injury will see him placed on the injured list, with further testing scheduled for Sunday.
The Dodgers' pitching staff has been heavily plagued by injuries this season. With Ryan's latest setback, the team has now utilized 17 different starting pitchers. Notably, Bobby Miller, another promising pitcher, missed two months with shoulder inflammation and has struggled upon his return. Miller has an 8.07 ERA in seven major-league starts before being demoted. In Triple-A, the young right-hander has a 5.82 ERA with almost as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
This season, the Dodgers' performance has been a mixed bag. Despite holding a solid 68-49 record, the team has gone 17-18 over their last 35 games, resulting in the NL West lead shrinking from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games. The dwindling lead emphasizes the critical nature of their pitching challenges, as the team's depth continues to be tested.
Ryan's potential absence is a blow to the Dodgers' rotation stability, especially considering his recent success and promising future. The team and fans alike hope for a positive outcome from his upcoming tests.
The Dodgers will need to draw on their depth and resilience as they navigate through yet another pitching crisis. Their performance in the coming weeks will be crucial as they strive to maintain their lead in the fiercely competitive NL West.