UPDATE (Saturday, July 20, 8:20 p.m. PT): Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Clayton Kershaw will be activated off the 60-day injured list to return Thursday against the San Francisco Giants.
A rash of injuries have created a revolving door in the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation, and pitching prospect River Ryan appears to be next in line to receive an opportunity.
It was reported prior to the All-Star break the Dodgers planned to call up Ryan for his MLB debut at some point during the second half.
The team went into a series against the Boston Red Sox with Gavin Stone, Justin Wrobleski and James Paxton the listed probables to start the three games over the weekend. Monday remains a question mark, but that is likely when Ryan is going to slot in.
“He’s a possibility,” answered Dodgers manager Dave Roberts when asked if Ryan was part of the pitching plans for the upcoming series against the San Francisco Giants.
“He’s in Arizona right now, so he’s looming. It potentially could be Monday. We’ll see.”
In addition to Ryan, the Dodgers plan to start Landon Knack, welcome back Tyler Glasnow and potentially Clayton Kershaw as well.
“Knack is going to be in there, but I’m not sure which day,” Roberts said. “Clayton had a good one yesterday, so we’re going to kind of finalize things. We’ll make a decision today on whether he’s going to join us next week or not.
“I know Tyler, we’re looking forward to him being back in the rotation.”
Glasnow deemed himself fully recovered from “tall man back” and confident for his impending return from the 15-day injured list.
There’s not as much clarity with Kershaw, both because of the fact he’s attempting to return after having left shoulder surgery, but also due to only having made three rehab starts.
Kershaw expressed a willingness to join the Dodgers rotation next week but also mentioned he’s mindful of not wanting to put the bullpen in a difficult position.
Roberts downplayed any concern and noted the Dodgers wouldn’t plan on immediately receiving six-plus innings from Kershaw anyhow.
River Ryan Dodgers info
Ryan was drafted by the San Diego Padres as an infielder but traded to the Dodgers for Matt Beaty, and converted to pitching at that point.
He’s since emerged as the top Dodgers pitching prospect and like Wrobleski, been a fast riser that now has Ryan on track for his MLB debut this year.
Ryan has pitched to a 2.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and collected 32 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched across eight starts this season.
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