The Los Angeles Dodgers face another setback as their pitching struggles continue to impact their season. In the latest blow, rookie right-hander River Ryan's season has come to an abrupt end due to an injury sustained during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Injury Ends Promising Season
Ryan, who was added to the Dodgers' roster from the San Diego Padres in a minor trade for Matt Beaty in March 2022, showed significant potential this season. The 25-year-old finished with a 1.33 ERA across his four starts, highlighting his importance to the team despite his brief stint. However, his performance was cut short last Saturday when he left the game after just 4 2/3 innings due to forearm tightness.
“Ryan's season is officially over,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, confirming the grim news for the young pitcher.
Ryan first felt discomfort in his forearm during the third inning against the Pirates and attempted to manage the pain using a massage gun between innings. Unfortunately, the severity of the injury forced him off the mound, marking a premature end to a season that was already delayed by a sore shoulder that kept him out for the first two months.
Dodgers' Pitching Challenges
The Dodgers have been plagued by injuries in their pitching lineup this season. They have used a staggering 17 different starting pitchers, the highest number in the league. Among them, Bobby Miller, another promising pitcher, also lost two months earlier this year to shoulder inflammation. Miller has struggled to find consistency, recording an 8.07 ERA over seven big-league starts, and his Triple-A performance hasn't been significantly better, with a 5.82 ERA and a nearly even count of walks to strikeouts.
Landon Knack has been called up to fill Ryan's roster spot, becoming another addition to the revolving door of Dodgers pitchers this season.
Maintaining Momentum in the National League
Despite their ongoing pitching struggles, the Dodgers currently hold a 68-49 record and the second-best record in the National League. However, their recent performance has been shaky, with a 17-18 record over their last 35 games.
Their lead in the NL West has also dwindled, shrinking from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games. This has placed additional pressure on the team to secure their position in the playoffs as the regular season enters its final stretch.
The Dodgers' resilience and ability to adapt to their pitching woes will be crucial as they continue their campaign. With multiple pitchers sidelined and the continued shuffling of the roster, maintaining momentum and consistency will be key to their success.
As the Dodgers look to regroup and address their pitching challenges, the loss of River Ryan underscores the unpredictability and depth of the issues they face. The road ahead is daunting, but the Dodgers have shown time and again that they can navigate adversity. The coming weeks will reveal if they can persevere and solidify their standing heading into the postseason.