Another Setback for Dodgers: River Ryan to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
LOS ANGELES – As if the Los Angeles Dodgers needed another hurdle to conquer in their quest for National League dominance, the beleaguered rotation suffered a significant blow Saturday night. Rookie right-hander River Ryan left the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth inning with forearm tightness, and subsequent tests have confirmed a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, necessitating Tommy John surgery.
Ryan's exit came after he first felt discomfort in his forearm during the third inning. Despite using a massage gun to alleviate the pain between innings, the tightness returned by the fifth inning, forcing Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts to call for him to be removed from the game. The immediate diagnosis led to Ryan's placement on the injured list the following day, with the severity of the injury dashing hopes for his return this season and likely sidelining him through most, if not all, of 2025.
The rookie's season was already off to a rocky start. He missed the first two months due to a sore shoulder, making his debut only earlier this year. Despite these challenges, the Dodgers had high hopes for the rookie right-hander. Ryan’s potential, described by Baseball America as having "the stuff to be a mid-rotation starter," was seen as a critical element for the team’s postseason aspirations.
This injury compounds the ongoing struggles and absences within the Dodgers' pitching staff. Another notable arm, Bobby Miller, also battled shoulder inflammation and missed significant time. Upon his return, Miller struggled with an 8.07 ERA in seven big-league starts, subsequently leading to his demotion. At Triple-A, his performance did little to inspire confidence, recording a 5.82 ERA with nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) in five starts.
The Dodgers have had to rely on an unprecedented 17 different starting pitchers this season, the most in baseball. This constant juggling act has made it incredibly challenging for Manager Dave Roberts and his coaching staff. Despite these obstacles, the Dodgers have managed to hold a 70-49 record, the best in the National League. However, the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are not far behind, trailing by just 3 1/2 games.
To fill the gap left by Ryan, the Dodgers have called up right-handed pitcher Landon Knack. Knack's arrival brings potential stability, but the Dodgers’ management is keen on carefully managing innings to preserve the health of their remaining arms. This balancing act will be crucial as the team navigates through the remainder of the season with an eye on assembling a capable rotation for a potential postseason run.
Manager Dave Roberts faces the daunting task of piecing together a resilient rotation that can withstand the pressures of postseason baseball. With the Dodgers’ top position in the National League standings, maintaining this lead will require not just skill but strategic maneuvering to ensure that the remaining pitchers remain healthy and effective.
The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but the Dodgers have shown resilience throughout the season. As they work to keep their advantage in the standings, the focus will undoubtedly be on preserving the health of their rotation and finding ways to maintain consistency on the mound in the absence of key players like Ryan and Miller.