The Los Angeles Dodgers, in dire need of pitching, received a promising performance from one of their top prospects on Monday night. River Ryan made his MLB debut by throwing 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one unearned run in a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants. The 25-year-old right-hander was called up by the Dodgers to help fill the void in their rotation due to injuries.
Manager Dave Roberts shared positive news over the weekend, announcing that Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow are set to return from their injuries and are scheduled to pitch later in the week against the Giants.
Ryan’s debut was impressive, despite a shaky start that included a leadoff walk and a single in the first inning. He settled in nicely, recording his first MLB strikeout in the third inning and pitching two consecutive 1-2-3 innings. Although he allowed a run in the fourth inning due to a passed ball, Ryan finished strong, pitching a total of 5 1/3 innings with zero earned runs on 72 pitches.
The Dodgers’ home crowd showed their appreciation for Ryan’s relatively lengthy outing by giving him a standing ovation. This was the longest start by a Dodgers pitcher since early July, and it was the first time in Ryan’s professional career that he pitched into the sixth inning.
While Ryan’s future with the team remains uncertain, his performance provided a much-needed boost to the Dodgers, who have been struggling with pitching depth due to injuries to key players. Despite the uncertainty, Ryan’s strong start is a positive sign for the Dodgers as they continue their quest for postseason success.