The Los Angeles Dodgers are about to get a much-needed boost on the mound, as top prospect River Ryan is set to make his return to game action this Friday. According to AM 570's David Vassegh, the No. 6 prospect in the organization will make his first start since April 11 after being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Ryan, now 27, has been turning heads ever since his comeback from Tommy John surgery this spring. During Cactus League play, he was nearly untouchable, posting a sparkling 1.86 ERA across 9.2 innings while striking out 12 batters. That kind of dominance had fans buzzing, but the Dodgers chose to take the cautious route.
Manager Dave Roberts prioritized Ryan's long-term health over rushing him back into the big-league rotation, so the right-hander began the year in Triple-A. That decision proved prescient, as Ryan landed on the injured list after just two starts with the Oklahoma City Comets. In those outings, he allowed four earned runs over seven innings (a 5.14 ERA) with 10 strikeouts before the hamstring issue forced him to the sidelines.
The Comets scratched Ryan from what would have been his third start, moving him to the minor league injury list. Now, with the organization giving him the green light, fans are eager to see if he can pick up where he left off.
Ryan's brief MLB debut in 2024 was nothing short of electric. In just four games, the right-hander tossed 20.1 innings and surrendered only three earned runs while punching out 18 batters. Walk issues crept in—he issued three free passes in each of his first three big-league appearances—but Ryan consistently worked out of jams with poise beyond his years.
Looking ahead, Ryan's path to the Dodgers' rotation is anything but clear. When fully healthy, Los Angeles boasts an embarrassment of riches on the mound, including Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, Emmet Sheehan, and Justin Wrobleski. Add in Tyler Glasnow, and the competition is fierce. But if Ryan's past performances are any indication, he has the tools to force his way into the conversation. For now, all eyes will be on Friday's start as he takes another step toward reclaiming his spot among the game's elite.