The Los Angeles Dodgers faced another bump in their tumultuous season as rookie right-hander River Ryan exited Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness. This marks yet another injury to a Dodgers starting pitcher, underscoring their ongoing struggles with staff health.
Another Starting Pitcher Down
Ryan's departure occurred after 4 2/3 innings and 56 pitches, prompted by discomfort he first felt in the third inning. Despite using a massage gun to alleviate tightness between innings, the issue resurfaced in the fifth inning, 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.
This incident comes at an inopportune time for Ryan, who had just returned to action after missing the first two months of the season with a sore shoulder. His performance in his four MLB starts this year has been impressive, boasting a 1.33 ERA, making his loss particularly significant. Ryan will be placed on the injured list and will undergo further testing to determine the extent of his injury.
Revolving Door of Starters
Ryan's injury adds to a growing list of starting pitchers the Dodgers have had to use this season. A total of 17 different starters have taken the mound for Los Angeles, highlighting the instability and challenges the team has faced. Among them is Bobby Miller, who himself missed two months with shoulder inflammation and posted an 8.07 ERA in seven major-league starts before being demoted. In Triple-A, Miller's performance hasn't been much better, with a 5.82 ERA and a troubling walk-to-strikeout ratio.
The constant rotation and injuries among starting pitchers have undeniably affected the Dodgers' performance and standings. Once comfortably leading the NL West by 8.5 games as of July 23, their lead has now shrunk to a mere 2.5 games, with a record of 68-49 and a less-than-stellar 17-18 over their last 35 games.
Bright Spot in a Dim Season
Despite these setbacks, Ryan's performance before his latest injury provided a beacon of hope. Acquired in a minor trade with the San Diego Padres for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022, he has more than justified his place on the team. Baseball America even recognized him as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update. "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting," Roberts remarked, capturing the sentiment of both the team and fans alike.
As the Dodgers brace for further testing on Ryan, the team and its supporters can only hope for positive news. With the critical stages of the season approaching, the health and availability of their pitchers will be pivotal in determining whether they can steady their ship and push deep into the postseason. For now, though, the Dodgers must navigate yet another challenge in what has already been a roller-coaster of a season.