Injury Woes Continue for Dodgers with Ryan's Season-Ending Injury
The Los Angeles Dodgers have encountered yet another setback in their already strained pitching rotation. River Ryan, a promising rookie right-hander, has been forced off the mound due to a severe injury that will sideline him for an extended period.
During Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Ryan exited in the fifth inning after experiencing forearm tightness. The discomfort reportedly began in the third inning, compelling Ryan to use a massage gun between innings in an attempt to alleviate the pain. Despite his efforts, the tightness returned by the fifth inning, prompting Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to make the difficult decision to remove him from the game.
An initial diagnosis quickly followed, placing Ryan on the injured list the next day. Subsequent tests confirmed the worst: a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery. This significant injury not only ends Ryan's 2024 season but also likely keeps him off the mound for most, if not all, of 2025.
Ryan's injury is a bitter blow for the Dodgers, who had high hopes for the rookie right-hander. Making his debut earlier this season, Ryan had shown glimpses of his potential, and as Baseball America noted, he "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter."
Unfortunately, this is not the first time Ryan has faced health challenges this season. He missed the initial two months due to a sore shoulder, adding to the Dodgers' ongoing struggles with injuries within their pitching staff. Fellow pitcher Bobby Miller also missed significant time with shoulder inflammation. Upon his return, Miller struggled to regain his form, recording an 8.07 ERA in seven big-league starts before being demoted. In Triple-A, Miller’s woes continued, posting a 5.82 ERA with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
The Dodgers’ rotation has been in constant flux throughout the season. They have used a staggering 17 different starting pitchers, the most of any team in baseball. This revolving door of pitchers has been a significant hurdle for the team, even as they maintain the best record in the National League with a 70-49 record. Nevertheless, they lead the division with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres trailing by 3 1/2 games.
With Ryan's injury, the Dodgers have called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack in an attempt to fill the void. This move underscores the continued efforts by Manager Dave Roberts and his coaching staff to piece together a viable rotation as they eye the postseason. The focus will now be on preserving the health of their remaining arms and carefully managing innings to prevent further setbacks.
The Dodgers remain determined to maintain their position at the top of the National League standings. While the injuries have tested their depth and resilience, the team’s ability to adapt and persevere has kept them in contention. As the postseason approaches, all eyes will be on how the Dodgers navigate these challenges and leverage their talent to make a deep playoff run.