Injury Woes Continue for Dodgers: River Ryan to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
The Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation has suffered yet another significant setback. On Saturday night, promising rookie right-hander River Ryan exited the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with forearm tightness, a development that could not have come at a worse time for the beleaguered pitching staff.
Ryan's troubles began in the third inning, where he first noticed discomfort in his forearm. Despite using a massage gun to alleviate the pain between innings, the tightness persisted and worsened by the fifth inning. Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts had no choice but to remove Ryan from the game. Subsequent medical evaluations revealed a torn UCL in Ryan's throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery. This injury effectively ends his 2024 season and could likely sideline him for most, if not all, of 2025.
"Has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter," according to Baseball America. Ryan's injury is a significant blow to the Dodgers, who had hoped the rookie could become a mainstay in their rotation. His debut earlier this year showed promise, but his journey has been marred by injuries. He missed the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder, and his latest setback leaves a gaping hole in the Dodgers' pitching plans.
Ryan's injury comes at a particularly challenging time for the Dodgers. Bobby Miller, another young right-hander, also missed significant time this season due to shoulder inflammation. Miller struggled upon his return, posting an 8.07 ERA in seven major-league starts before being demoted to Triple-A, where his performance didn’t improve significantly. His Triple-A stats include a 5.82 ERA with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
The Dodgers have been forced to use an astonishing 17 different starting pitchers this season, the highest number in Major League Baseball. To fill the void left by Ryan, the team called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack, as the Dodgers continue to juggle their rotation in the hopes of maintaining their lead in the National League standings.
Despite the challenges, the Dodgers are managing to stay competitive. They currently hold a record of 70-49, which is the best in the National League. The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres trail them by 3 1/2 games, but the Dodgers must tread carefully as they look to preserve the health of their remaining arms.
Manager Dave Roberts and his staff now face the daunting task of piecing together a rotation for the postseason. With the loss of Ryan and ongoing uncertainties around other pitchers, the Dodgers will focus on careful inning management and strategic use of their remaining pitchers.
The Dodgers' resilience in the face of these challenges underscores their depth and talent. Yet, the road ahead remains steep. As the team aims to secure their spot at the top of the National League standings, they must do so with a rotation that is far from stable. How they navigate the remainder of the season and postseason could very well define their year.
In an unpredictable season marked by injuries and challenges, the Dodgers' ability to adapt and persevere will be crucial. Only time will tell if their careful management and depth can carry them through to a successful conclusion of the 2024 campaign.