The Los Angeles Dodgers look to keep their momentum going out of the All-Star break as they begin a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants with River Ryan making his MLB debut.
Ryan joins fellow Dodgers prospects Ricky Vanasco, Andy Pages, Landon Knack and Justin Wrobleski in reaching the Majors for the first time this season.
The opportunities for Knack, Wrobleski and Ryan have been created due to a rash of injuries in the Dodgers’ starting rotation and inconsistent performances.
Ryan has a 2.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and collected 32 strikeouts in 24.1 innings pitched across eight Minor League starts so far this season. He began the year on a rehab assignment with the Arizona Complex League Dodgers and made two starts before joining Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
The right-hander started just one game for the Quakes and then joined Triple-A Oklahoma City in the middle of June upon getting activated off the 60-day injured list.
Ryan was drafted by the San Diego Padres as an infielder but traded to the Dodgers for Matt Beaty, when he converted to pitching.
James Paxton was designated for assignment as the corresponding move to make room for Ryan on the Dodgers’ active and 40-man rosters.
The Giants counter with Blake Snell, who has struggled mightily in his first season with the team. The start is just Snell’s third since returning from the 15-day injured list because of a left groin strain.
Snell is 0-3 with a 6.31 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in eight starts this season. The left-hander has yet to face the Dodgers this year, but has historically fared well against them in his career, going 2-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 13 starts.
Included in that is Snell having a 1-0 record and 1.86 ERA in six starts at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers reportedly attempted to sign the 31-year-old just before he joined the Giants on a two-year, $62 million contract.
The Dodgers are honoring the late Willie Mays during a pregame ceremony Monday night. His son, Michael, is due to be on hand.
“As beautiful as the outpouring of love for my father has been, frankly, I’m not surprised,” Michael Mays said. “But for his team’s forever rival to make it their business to pay tribute to him may be the greatest testament of all to his impact.”
Dodgers lineup
DH: Shohei Ohtani
C: Will Smith
1B: Freddie Freeman
RF: Teoscar Hernández
CF: Andy Pages
LF: Miguel Vargas
3B: Chris Taylor
2B: Gavin Lux
SS: Kiké Hernández
Giants lineup
DH: Jorge Soler
1B: LaMonte Wade Jr.
CF: Heliot Ramos
C: Patrick Bailey
LF: Michael Conforto
3B: Matt Chapman
RF: Mike Yastrzemski
SS: Tyler Fitzgerald
2B: Brett Wisely
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
