The Los Angeles Dodgers face yet another setback as they scramble to maintain their position atop the National League standings. The latest blow to their already strained rotation came on Saturday night when rookie right-hander River Ryan left the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness. This development further complicates Manager Dave Roberts' efforts to piece together a reliable starting lineup as the postseason approaches.
Ryan’s woes began in the third inning, where he first reported discomfort in his forearm. Despite using a massage gun in between innings to alleviate the pain, his condition worsened by the fifth inning. Manager Dave Roberts had no choice but to pull him from the game, placing him on the injured list the following day. Subsequent medical evaluations revealed a torn UCL in Ryan’s throwing elbow, a diagnosis that mandates Tommy John surgery.
This procedure not only ends Ryan's 2024 season but also sidelines him for a significant portion, if not the entirety, of 2025. Such a prognosis is a significant setback for the Dodgers, who had high hopes for the rookie. "Has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter," Baseball America noted of Ryan earlier this year. His budding career now faces an uphill battle toward recovery.
The Dodgers' pitching rotation has been plagued by injuries throughout the season. Ryan’s own journey saw him miss the first two months due to a sore shoulder. Another key pitcher, Bobby Miller, also missed substantial time grappling with shoulder inflammation. Miller's return proved less than stellar; he posted an 8.07 ERA in seven major league starts before being demoted. Unfortunately, his Triple-A numbers were not much better, recording a 5.82 ERA, nearly matched by his walks (16) and strikeouts (17) in five outings.
Ryan’s exit marks the use of the 17th different starter by the Dodgers this season, the highest in baseball. This alarming statistic underscores the instability within their pitching staff, and raises questions about their ability to sustain their lead in the National League. With a current season record of 70-49, the Dodgers hold the best record in their league, but their lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres is a slim 3 1/2 games.
In an attempt to stabilize the rotation, the Dodgers have called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack. His performance will be under scrutiny as the team focuses on preserving the health of their remaining arms and carefully managing innings. Success in these areas is crucial if they hope to maintain their position as the top team in the National League.
Manager Dave Roberts and his coaching staff now face the critical task of piecing together a rotation for the postseason. Balancing rest and performance will be key as they navigate these final weeks of the regular season. The goal remains clear: secure a robust pitching lineup to keep their standings lead and mount a deep playoff run.
Despite the setbacks, the Dodgers' resilience and tactical adjustments will be central to their performance in the upcoming games. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how the team manages this critical juncture amidst the mounting challenges.