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Dodgers' River Ryan: Doesn't make Opening Day roster
Rotowire
The Dodgers optioned Ryan to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
Ryan spent the entire 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and entered spring training with an outside shot at making the Dodgers' Opening Day roster. He appeared in four Cactus League games for the Dodgers and posted a 1.86 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB across 9.2 innings. It was a strong camp for Ryan, but even with Blake Snell (shoulder) expected to start the season on the 15-day injured list, the Dodgers are being mindful of the former's workload and will ease him back in the minors first, per Jack Harris of the California Post. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Ryan in some major-league games in 2026.
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Dodgers' River Ryan: Unlikely to break camp with LA
Rotowire
Ryan has had a strong spring but is expected to begin the season in the minors, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.
Ryan's most recent spring outing was a four-inning start against Texas on Sunday, during which he allowed just one run and struck out five batters. The right-hander has posted an impressive 1.86 ERA with a 12:4 K:BB over 9.2 frames spanning four appearances this spring, and with Blake Snell (shoulder) slated to open the season on the IL, there had been some thought that Ryan could be a candidate for the open rotation spot. However, Chen surmises that Ryan will almost certainly begin the campaign in the minors due to an early schedule that includes three days off over the first 15 days of the season (which should reduce the need for a sixth starter) and the presence of Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski, both of whom have more experience as swingmen. It's also worth noting that Ryan missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, so while there's a good chance he'll get an opportunity with the big club at some point during the campaign, the Dodgers are likely to manage his workload carefully.
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Dodgers' River Ryan: Contending for Opening Day rotation
Rotowire
Ryan has impressed this spring and has a chance to open the regular season in the Dodgers' rotation, Courtney Hollmon of MLB.com reports.
Ryan was particularly impressive Tuesday in an outing versus Cleveland, firing two scoreless and hitless innings while issuing one walk and striking out three batters. Through two Cactus League appearances, the right-hander has tossed three scoreless frames with a 4:2 K:BB. Ryan missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he reportedly had a normal offseason and put on about 30 pounds in an effort to increase his durability. He's still more likely than not to begin the campaign in the minors, but injuries within the Dodgers' starting corps -- including to Blake Snell (shoulder) and Gavin Stone (shoulder) -- along with Roki Sasaki's struggles have at least cracked the door open a bit for Ryan to break camp with the big-league club.
Dodgers' River Ryan: Tosses bullpen session Tuesday
Rotowire
Ryan (elbow) threw a bullpen session at spring training Tuesday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.
Ryan has had a relatively normal offseason after missing the entire 2025 campaign following Tommy John surgery, but it's at least worth noting his presence on the mound to begin camp. The 27-year-old made his MLB debut in 2024 for the Dodgers, making four starts, and produced a 1.33 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB across 20.1 innings. Ryan packed on 30 pounds while rehabbing in an effort to increase his durability. The right-hander is expected to open the 2026 campaign in the minors.
Ryan (elbow) said Saturday that he added 30 pounds over the offseason in hopes of increasing his durability, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Ryan believes his relatively slight build contributed to the Tommy John surgery that knocked him out for the entirety of the 2025 season. While rehabbing that injury, Ryan "ate a lot of calories" and "lifted like an animal," which resulted in his weight going from 195 to 225. Ryan said he's had a normal offseason, having already thrown 10 bullpen sessions and touched triple digits on the radar run. The 27-year-old is unlikely to be on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster, but he could be a key rotation depth piece. Ryan held a 1.33 ERA and 18:9 K:BB over 20.1 innings covering four starts for the Dodgers in 2024.
Dodgers' River Ryan: Normal buildup in spring training
Rotowire
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said during the GM Meetings last week that Ryan (elbow) will go through a "normal" buildup during spring training, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Ryan hasn't pitched since August 2024 Tommy John surgery, but he should have a relatively normal spring training since the righty will be 18 months removed from the operation by that point. The 27-year-old held a 1.33 ERA and 18:9 K:BB over 20.1 innings covering four starts for the Dodgers in 2024, but after a long layoff, he's likely to begin the 2026 season in the minors.
Ryan (elbow) has resumed throwing off a mound but hasn't yet progressed to full bullpen sessions, per MLB.com.
Ryan is making gradual progress from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last August. A return to the big-league roster near the end of the regular season is a possibility if Ryan continues to proceed without any setbacks, but it's not a guarantee that he'll pitch for the Dodgers this season given the nature of his procedure.
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