The Los Angeles Dodgers have encountered yet another injury setback with rookie pitcher River Ryan, who was forced to leave Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to forearm tightness. Ryan, who pitched 4 2/3 innings before being removed, is set to undergo further testing and will be placed on the injured list.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed concern about the injury, noting that forearm issues are always troubling, especially since they can sometimes indicate more serious elbow problems.
Ryan began feeling discomfort in his forearm during the third inning, but was able to temporarily manage the pain with a massage gun between innings. However, the tightness returned in the fifth inning, leading the coaching and medical staff to pull him from the game after noticing him wince.
This latest injury is particularly concerning given that Ryan had already missed significant time earlier in the season due to a sore shoulder.
The Dodgers’ pitching rotation has been heavily impacted by injuries this season, with several key pitchers already on the injured list. The team has had to rely on a patchwork rotation, using 17 different starting pitchers so far, the most in the league.
Ryan’s injury adds to a growing list of sidelined pitchers, including Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, and Clayton Kershaw, among others. The team’s depth has been severely tested, and the loss of Ryan further complicates their situation as they approach the season’s crucial stretch.
Despite the injury challenges, the Dodgers have managed to maintain a strong overall record of 68-49, placing them second in the National League. However, their recent performance has been less consistent, with a 17-18 record over their last 35 games.
This slump has narrowed their lead in the NL West from 8.5 games on July 23 to just 2.5 games, putting added pressure on the team to stabilize their rotation and finish the season strong.
River Ryan, who will turn 26 next week, is a converted infielder who joined the Dodgers in a 2022 trade with the San Diego Padres. He has shown promise this season with a 1.33 ERA in four starts and was recently ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 10 prospect by Baseball America.
His injury is a significant blow to a Dodgers team already struggling to keep its pitching staff healthy and effective.
