Could Dodgers’ River Ryan replace Blake Snell in starting rotation?

The Los Angeles Dodgers have weathered significant injuries and inconsistent stretches in the past, but they are invariably a fixture in October baseball. Although Dave Roberts has had to manage around plenty of speed bumps over the last two seasons, the end result has been the same: a World Series parade. Can LA exhibit the same tenacity following the latest Blake Snell news?The two-time Cy Young Award winner is going on the injured list with loose bodies in his left elbow, forcing management to consider alternative options. Perhaps one such contingency plan could include another player who is currently on the IL. While the Dodgers could replace Snell with a more seasoned hurler, a rookie right-hander is a long shot.“Dave Roberts called it ‘a slim possibility' that River Ryan eventually fills Blake Snell’s spot in the rotation,” The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya reported on Friday. “Tonight is his first start back with OKC off his hamstring injury. Plan is four innings. Dodgers don’t want to risk his build-up.”The Dodgers are hoping Ryan becomes an important member of the starting staff in the long term, but that could entail some extra caution in the short term. He is currently recovering from a hamstring injury and underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024. Even if the 27-year-old is feeling strong and is dealing on the mound, the organization might not feel comfortable about giving him a normal workload from the onset.Ryan flashed promise during his first taste of the big leagues, tallying a 1.33 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings pitched in 2024. He has struggled in Triple-A Oklahoma City this year, though, posting a 5.14 ERA in two April outings. Ideally, this latest stint with the Comets prepares him for a prosperous MLB return.Whether it is River Ryan or someone else, the Dodgers will probably need meaningful innings for an extended period of time.The Los Angeles Dodgers have weathered significant injuries and inconsistent stretches in the past, but they are invariably a fixture in October baseball. Although Dave Roberts has had to manage around plenty of speed bumps over the last two seasons, the end result has been the same: a World Series parade.