The Los Angeles Dodgers suddenly are running slightly thin on starting pitching depth with Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell both on the injured list, which makes it notable that River Ryan returned on Friday night.
He allowed one run and only two hits over four innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Ryan walked one batter and collected four strikeouts in the Comets’ road win over the Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies affiliate). His fastball velocity topped out at 100.9 mph and averaged 98.6 mph in the outing.
Ryan had been on the Minor League injured list since April 17 because of a hamstring issue. His last start before Friday night came April 11.
Dodgers will consider River Ryan
Manager Dave Roberts said before Ryan’s outing that the goal was four innings and 60 pitches. The right-hander reached the length benchmark and did so on an efficient 53 pitches. It was an encouraging first step as the Dodgers will soon face a need in their rotation.
“So it certainly should be on the table, considering other options,” Roberts said of the Dodgers looking to fill out their six-man rotation. “But you’ve just got to make sure he gets out of this one OK and it’s got to be a uniformed decision we all feel good about. But yeah, it should be on the table. Again, we’ll kind of see after his start.”
However, Roberts made clear the Dodgers will not rush their former top pitching prospect through his buildup and establishing a foundation. Ryan only made two starts for Oklahoma City before landing on the injured list and was also limited during Spring Training.
“The possibility of him pitching for us, it’s a possibility. It’s still a slim possibility, because the most important thing is his progression,” Roberts explained. “If everyone isn’t on board with that and speeding it up, it’s moot. It’s just not going to happen. It’s a non-starter.
“But if the training staff feels it’s OK and you’re not compromising him and the progression, then it’s a conversation.”
Ryan is in his first season since missing all of last year due to recovering from Tommy John surgery. He went 1-0 with a 1.33 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in four starts with the Dodgers in 2024 before suffering his right elbow injury that ultimately required surgery.
Part of Ryan’s rehab process entailed adding 30 pounds of muscle to his frame that in turn is allowing for increased velocity and easier throws.
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