The Los Angeles Dodgers, currently leading the National League with a record of 70-49, have suffered yet another setback in what has been an injury-riddled season for their pitching rotation. Rookie right-hander River Ryan, who just made his debut earlier this year, exited Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after experiencing forearm tightness. The injury, confirmed by subsequent tests, revealed a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery. This effectively ends Ryan’s 2024 season and likely keeps him sidelined for most, if not all, of the 2025 season as well.
Another Blow to the Dodgers' Rotation
The Dodgers had high hopes for Ryan, known for his promising potential. Baseball America once noted that he "has the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter." However, Ryan’s ascendant trajectory was abruptly interrupted when he first felt discomfort in his forearm during the third inning of Saturday’s game. After using a massage gun to temporarily alleviate the pain, the tightness returned by the fifth inning, forcing Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to remove him from the game.
Unfortunately, Ryan’s misfortune adds to a list of pitching woes for the Dodgers this season. Ryan had already missed the first two months of the season due to a sore shoulder. Fellow pitcher Bobby Miller has also struggled with health issues, missing significant time because of shoulder inflammation. Upon his return, Miller posted an 8.07 ERA over seven big-league starts before being sent down. Even his Triple-A performance was underwhelming, with a 5.82 ERA and nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
Next Man Up: Landon Knack
In response to Ryan’s injury, the Dodgers have called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack. The team, which has already used 17 different starting pitchers this season, the most in baseball, continues to piece together a rotation in the face of adversity. Manager Dave Roberts and his staff now face the difficult task of maintaining their lead in the National League while managing the wear and tear on their remaining arms.
Postseason Aspirations
Despite their injury setbacks, the Dodgers are not just aiming to make it through the season; they have their eyes set firmly on the postseason. With the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres trailing them by 3 1/2 games, maintaining their position at the top of the standings is no small feat. The team’s strategy moving forward will likely focus on preserving the health of their remaining pitchers and carefully managing their innings to ensure they have a strong and functional rotation come playoff time.
Yet, the Dodgers’ situation underscores just how precarious their position can be when injuries keep chipping away at the foundation of their rotation. The coaching staff will need to employ all their tactical acumen and depth management skills to navigate these choppy waters successfully.
As the Dodgers continue to battle through this trying season, their resilience and resourcefulness will be tested to the limit. The ability of players like Landon Knack to step up in these crucial moments may well determine how far the team can go. For now, all eyes in Los Angeles will be on how the team manages to hold together through this new wave of challenges, with the ultimate goal of remaining the best in the National League and making a meaningful run in the postseason.