Dodgers Pitcher Aiming to Make Surprise Return This Season After Tommy John
Tommy John surgery is the kryptonite of many MLB pitchers.
With the option to sideline a player for the full season, early comebacks are not the norm.
Right-handed starting pitcher River Ryan is trying to beat the odds and return to the mound in 2025.
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Ryan on the 15-day IL with right forearm stiffness in August.
Ryan received the season-ending injury in his fourth MLB start after surrendering only four runs in 4.2 innings.
By the fifth inning of the Dodgers’ 4-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Ryan exited the game early with a trainer.
The Dodgers subsequently transferred him to the 60-day IL eight days later, expecting him to be unavailable for all of 2025. But, Ryan is aiming to be back by the postseason.
“Hopefully looking to be back by September, that’d be fantastic,” Ryan remarked to Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain at spring training.
“I’m not going to rush anything if I’m not feeling it elbow-wise. I’m definitely not going to attempt to push through that, had a lot of time left.”
Ryan’s surgery marks the third time a Dodgers pitcher undergone an elbow procedure during the last three seasons.
Starting pitcher Dustin May and reliever Kyle Hurt both had elbow ligament surgery.
Hurt was able to make three appearances in 2024, while May missed the entire season.
Ryan, who was listed as the Dodgers No. 14 prospect in 2023, impressed in his first season last year.
Los Angeles called him up for his MLB debut in July against the San Francisco Giants after designating left-hander James Paxton for assignment.
Through four starts with the Dodgers, Ryan posted a 1.33 ERA with 18 strikeouts. Despite being short-lived, his first season suggests the 26-year-old has a great future ahead.
He’s hoping that can be as soon as late 2025
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