River Ryan: Everything you need to know

Ryan fired six scoreless innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City against Sugar Land on Thursday, striking out eight and giving up four hits and no walks. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in mid-May that there was a "slim chance" of the 27-year-old joining the big-league rotation in place of Blake Snell (elbow), and Ryan has remained with Oklahoma City for the past three turns through the rotation. The right-hander has been dominant through five Triple-A starts this year with a 2.05 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 29:3 K:BB across 22 innings. After giving up just three earned runs across four outings in his first taste of the big leagues last year, it's likely only a matter of time before Ryan gets another look in 2026.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that there is a "slim possibility" Ryan will enter the team's big-league rotation in place of Blake Snell (elbow), Jack Harris of the California Post reports. Snell landed on the 15-day injured list Friday and could be looking at an extended absence if he needs surgery. With Tyler Glasnow (back) also on the IL, Los Angeles could need to find a fill-in starter, though Harris notes the team is set with five healthy starters ahead of next Thursday's off day. Ryan doesn't seem likely to join the MLB rotation given Roberts' comments, but the skipper didn't entirely rule out the possibility. Ryan is coming back from an injury of his own -- a hamstring issue that cost him nearly a month -- but he returned to action Friday for Triple-A Oklahoma City and tossed four innings, allowing one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four batters. He tossed 53 pitches in the outing, so the right-hander presumably isn't fully ramped up following his absence. Ultimately, the Dodgers may not need to dig into their minor-league depth for a sixth starter if Glasnow returns in time for the team's next stretch of six consecutive games, which will not begin until May 29 versus Philadelphia.

Ryan (hamstring) is scheduled to make his next start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports. Ryan has been shelved on Oklahoma City's 7-day injured list since April 17 due to a hamstring injury, but the 27-year-old right-hander has recovered enough to return to the mound for Friday's Triple-A contest. In two starts prior to his injury, Ryan allowed five runs (four earned) on nine hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters across seven innings.