The Los Angeles Dodgers' injury woes continue as rookie right-hander River Ryan became the latest pitcher to hit the injured list. Ryan exited Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates prematurely due to forearm tightness, an ailment he first noticed in the third inning. Despite attempting to loosen up with a massage gun between innings, the discomfort persisted, forcing him out in the fifth inning after just 4 2/3 innings and 56 pitches.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed his concern post-game, "Hopefully we have some good news, and we'll see. Obviously, we've got to be careful with him. We'll know more tomorrow." The Dodgers' medical team plans further testing on Sunday to determine the severity of Ryan’s condition. Roberts added, "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting.”
Ryan's setback is particularly untimely given his recent return from a sore shoulder that had sidelined him for the season's first two months. Despite his late start, Ryan has impressed with a stellar 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts this year. This performance has marked him as a bright spot in the Dodgers' injury-plagued pitching roster.
Acquired in a minor trade from the San Diego Padres in March 2022 for utility man Matt Beaty, Ryan has quickly ascended the Dodgers’ prospect rankings. Baseball America recently recognized him as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update. His burgeoning talent is now met with uncertainty as the Dodgers await the results of his medical examinations.
A Season of Challenges
The Dodgers have been using a revolving door of starters this season, with Ryan's injury marking the use of the 17th different starting pitcher. The roster instability has impacted the team's performance, leading to a 17-18 record over their last 35 games. Their once comfortable NL West lead has shrunk from 8.5 games on July 23 to a slender 2.5 games, putting added pressure on an already vulnerable squad.
Adding to the Dodgers' pitching woes, Bobby Miller, another young hurler, has struggled with both form and fitness. Miller missed two months with shoulder inflammation, and his time in the majors has been rocky, posting an 8.07 ERA over seven starts before being demoted. His return to Triple-A has not been a marked improvement either, as he has recorded a 5.82 ERA with an almost equal number of walks (16) to strikeouts (17) in five starts.
Hope Amidst Adversity
Despite the injuries and the disruptions, the Dodgers have maintained an impressive 68-49 record. Ryan's emergence and immediate impact symbolize the blend of seasoned and budding talent that defines the current Dodgers' roster. However, preserving him for the future is crucial, as forearm injuries in pitchers often cause significant concern.
The baseball world will wait with bated breath as further details emerge on Ryan's condition. For Dodgers fans, keeping faith in their team’s depth and resilience will be key as they push through the final stretch of the season. The hope remains that River Ryan’s injury won’t lead to an extended absence and that he can return to fortify the Dodgers’ quest for another postseason run.