In yet another blow to their pitching rotation, the Los Angeles Dodgers face another injury setback as rookie right-hander River Ryan exited Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates prematurely. This development continues a trend that has seen the Dodgers struggle to maintain a consistent starting lineup due to a spate of injuries.
Ryan's Early Exit
River Ryan, who has shown promise with a 1.33 ERA in his four MLB starts this season, left the game after pitching 4 2/3 innings and delivering 56 pitches. The decision to pull Ryan came due to emerging forearm tightness, which initially surfaced in the third inning. Despite attempts to alleviate the discomfort with a massage gun between innings, the tightness reappeared in the fifth inning, leading to his removal from the 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," said Manager Dave Roberts, highlighting the concern surrounding Ryan's condition. He further added, "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting."
Ryan's next steps involve undergoing further testing on Sunday and being placed on the injured list, adding to the Dodgers' long list of pitching woes this season.
A Season Plagued by Injuries
The Dodgers' rotation has been hit hard this year, with Ryan's injury only adding to their concerns. The team has had to rely on 17 different starting pitchers throughout the season. Notably, Bobby Miller, who was once considered a promising asset, missed two months due to shoulder inflammation, and his struggles extended beyond his return. With an 8.07 ERA over seven major-league starts, Miller was subsequently demoted, and his performance in Triple-A has been equally troubling with a 5.82 ERA.
Incoming from a minor trade with the San Diego Padres in March 2022 for utility man Matt Beaty, Ryan was quickly recognized for his potential, being ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system by Baseball America. His promising start was already a relief for a team beleaguered with pitching issues earlier this season. However, his history with injuries, having recently returned from a sore shoulder that kept him out for the first two months of the season, adds to the Dodgers' growing list of concerns.
Impact on Team Performance
The continuous shuffling of the pitching lineup has undoubtedly affected the team's overall performance. Recently, the Dodgers have seen a slide in their winning momentum. Despite holding a 68-49 record, they have only managed a 17-18 record over their last 35 games. This dip in performance has also had a significant impact on their standing in the NL West, with their lead diminishing from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games.
The Dodgers find themselves in a precarious situation as they aim to stabilize their rotation and maintain their competitive edge in the league. The coming days will be crucial as they await the results of Ryan's tests and plan their next steps to navigate through yet another injury hurdle.
While the team's management and fans hold onto the hope for a prompt and positive recovery for Ryan, the persistent injuries to their starting pitchers underscore the ongoing challenges the Dodgers have faced throughout the season. Each game becomes critical as the race in the NL West tightens, and the Dodgers need all hands on deck to push forward successfully.