The Los Angeles Dodgers have added top prospect River Ryan to their roster for his MLB debut against the San Francisco Giants. In a corresponding move, James Paxton was designated for assignment.
Ryan is part of a group of reinforcements this week that also includes Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw returning from the injured list.
The 25-year-old has made seven starts this season with the Arizona Complex League Dodgers (one), Single-A Rancho Cucamonga (one) and Triple-A Oklahoma City (five). Ryan’s start to the year was delayed due to right shoulder fatigue that prevented him from pitching during Spring Training.
In his five starts with the Oklahoma City Baseball Club, Ryan was stellar, posting a 2.76 ERA and 3.64 FIP across 16.1 innings in the most hitter-friendly leagues in baseball. He also struck out 10.47 per nine innings.
He has spent three seasons in the Minor Leagues, going 3-11 with a 3.22 ERA in 49 games (45 starts).
Ryan joins a Dodgers rotation that features three other rookies, along with Gavin Stone, Landon Knack and Justin Wrobleski.
He was previously acquired in a trade that sent Matt Beaty to the San Diego Padres, and since then, Ryan has quickly risen through the Dodgers’ Minor League rankings.
Dodgers designated James Paxton for assignment
With Paxton being DFA’d, he is now removed from the Dodgers 40-man roster and they have seven days to either trade him, place him on outright waivers or release him.
If he’s claimed by another team, he is added to their 40-man roster and will need to be activated. In the unexpected case he clears waivers, he can be assigned to the Minor Leagues, but players with more than five years of service time can reject that assignment and become a free agent.
A trade seems to be the most likely outcome with so many teams in need of starting pitching.
Paxton made 18 starts for the Dodgers this season, posting a 4.43 ERA, 4.97 FIP and 1.46 WHIP while striking out just 16.4% of hitters and walking 12.3%.
His strikeout rate has declined significantly from his career marks, and his walk rate has almost doubled, making each time out a struggle for Paxton.
Still, he has been able to keep the Dodgers in games more often than not, posting an 8-2 record.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
