Injuries Continue to Plague Dodgers Rotation
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been hit with yet another injury blow to their starting rotation. This time, it's rookie right-hander River Ryan who found himself exiting Saturday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier than anyone anticipated.
After delivering 4 2/3 innings and completing 56 pitches, Ryan was sidelined due to forearm tightness. The discomfort began during the third inning, prompting Ryan to use a massage gun to alleviate the tension between innings. Unfortunately, the tightness resurfaced in the fifth inning, which led to his premature departure 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," Manager Dave Roberts said, expressing cautious optimism while acknowledging the inherent risks associated with such injuries. "But obviously, when you see a guy go on his forearm, it's always disconcerting."
The Dodgers confirmed that Ryan will be placed on the injured list and is set to undergo further testing on Sunday. This incident marks a significant setback for the rookie, who had only just rejoined the team after missing the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder. Since re-entering the fray, Ryan has made four starts and posted an impressive 1.33 ERA.
A Struggling Rotation
Ryan’s injury underscores the broader struggles facing the Dodgers' pitching rotation this season. To date, the team has used an alarming 17 different starting pitchers. This figure includes Bobby Miller, who himself missed two months with shoulder inflammation. Despite showing promise, Miller's performance in the majors was troubled, reflected in his 8.07 ERA across seven starts before being demoted to Triple-A. His struggles have continued at that level, sporting a 5.82 ERA with almost as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
Ryan's journey with the Dodgers began when he was acquired in a minor trade from the San Diego Padres in exchange for utility man Matt Beaty in March 2022. His impressive performance led to his recognition by Baseball America as the No. 10 prospect in the Dodgers' system in their midseason update this year.
Dodgers’ Recent Performance
The injury woes have undoubtedly contributed to the Dodgers' recent performance slump. Despite maintaining a 68-49 record, the team has been inconsistent, posting a 17-18 record over their last 35 games. The once comfortable lead in the NL West has now shrunk from 8.5 games on July 23 to a mere 2.5 games.
As the team navigates these turbulent waters, one thing remains clear: the Dodgers will need to find solutions quickly if they hope to maintain their standing and push through to the postseason unscathed.