The Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation has been battling consistency issues all season, and the latest blow comes with the announcement that rookie right-hander River Ryan's season has come to a premature end. During Saturday night’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Ryan was forced to exit after just 4 2/3 innings because of forearm tightness. As Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed, "Ryan's season is officially over."
Another Setback for the Rotation
Ryan's injury epitomizes the Dodgers' pitching struggles this season. Already marked by a sore shoulder that sidelined him for the first two months, Ryan’s promising start has taken a disappointing turn. After feeling discomfort in his forearm during the third inning against the Pirates, he attempted to alleviate the pain with a massage gun between innings. Sadly, it was not enough to continue.
Acquired from the San Diego Padres in a minor trade for Matt Beaty in March 2022, Ryan had been a bright spot in the Dodgers’ rotation. Across his four starts, he boasted an impressive 1.33 ERA, validating why Baseball America ranked him as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system. Unfortunately, his contribution to the team’s race for the postseason has been cut agonizingly short.
A Revolving Door of Starters
Ryan is the latest addition to a lengthy list of injured Dodgers starters, as the team has utilized an astonishing 17 different starting pitchers this season. This marks the most starting pitchers used by any team in the league. The frequent changes have undeniably affected the team’s rhythm, contributing to their recent inconsistency.
Bobby Miller, another crucial arm for the Dodgers, lost two months earlier this year to shoulder inflammation. Miller’s struggles have carried over into his performance, as he now holds an 8.07 ERA over seven big-league starts, alongside a discouraging 5.82 ERA in Triple-A with nearly as many walks as strikeouts.
New Additions and Playoff Aspirations
To compensate for Ryan's departure, the Dodgers have called up Landon Knack. While Knack’s performance and potential remain to be seen, the Dodgers are hoping he can provide the stability they've been missing.
Currently, the Dodgers hold a 68-49 record, sitting with the second-best record in the National League. Despite this strong position, their recent form has been concerning, going 17-18 in their last 35 games. The once-comfortable NL West lead of 8.5 games on July 23 has dwindled to just 2.5 games, adding pressure as they strive to secure their playoff position.
The prevailing mood in the Dodgers' camp is one of unease mixed with determination. With the postseason in sight, the team must find a way to stabilize their pitching staff and regain the form that saw them leading the division by a considerable margin.
Ryan's season-ending injury is a significant setback, but the Dodgers have shown resilience in the face of adversity before. The journey ahead will undoubtedly be challenging, requiring every ounce of depth, talent, and resolve that this storied franchise possesses.