PHOENIX – Changes in Dodgers Pitching Roster
River Ryan made an appearance at Fan Fest last month, noticeably 30 pounds heavier than when Dodgers fans last saw him in 2024. That was right before his promising rookie season was interrupted by Tommy John surgery.
This past Saturday at Camelback Ranch, it was Gavin Stone’s time to showcase a similar physical transformation. He also had a standout rookie campaign in 2024, which ended when he had shoulder surgery.
“It’s been a long road to recovery,” Stone mentioned. The once lean right-hander has packed on about 15 pounds during his rehab, much like Ryan, and arrived at camp in better shape.
“There were definitely tough days,” he reflected, “but there were also days that felt good.”
Saturday was one of those good days for Stone. After a relatively smooth offseason, he was already pitching against batters in live practice sessions. His performance, albeit brief, caught the attention of Dodgers leadership, especially when he struck out Shohei Ohtani and effectively used a repertoire of fastballs and changeups.
“His fastball quality was really impressive. His arm felt good, his changeup was solid, and his velocity was spot on,” general manager Brandon Gomez noted. “It was a standout outing for Stoney.”
The Dodgers are optimistic as they start their official spring training, with Stone and Ryan emerging as two of their top young pitchers. In 2024, Stone finished with an 11-5 record and a 3.53 ERA over 23 starts, while Ryan delivered an impressive 1.33 ERA in just four appearances. Both 27-year-olds look forward to 2026, now healthy and noticeably fit.
“Those guys are fantastic,” Gomez added, expressing enthusiastic support.
The team’s excitement about Ryan’s physical progress has been evident throughout the offseason.
Two years back, when he made his MLB debut, Ryan weighed about 195 pounds and averaged 96 mph with his fastball. Recently, he followed a rigorous plan during the final stretch of his rehab, joking, “I lifted like an animal, consuming a lot of calories,” which helped him to hit speeds under 100 mph regularly, enhancing his already extensive seven-pitch mix.
“I’ve always been able to pitch fast, but I think it’s easier and stronger now,” he noted.
Gomez commented, “He’s performing at the top of his game. The ball is coming off his hand well… River has really put in the work and it’s great to see it pay off.”
Looking to the Future
Meanwhile, Stone has encountered more uncertainties. After his strong 2024 season, during which he led the Dodgers in innings pitched and was selected for the postseason rotation, he faced a significant shoulder injury. This required surgery on multiple components of his shoulder.
“The MRI showed terrible results,” Stone described. “I didn’t feel pain while pitching, but afterward, it was intense. The soreness would kick in late at night or early morning, and honestly, it was more severe than I expected.”
Now, he feels like he’s pitching with “basically a whole new set of shoulders.” He acknowledged that the recovery took longer than anticipated, and that there are still adjustments to make.
“It’s a continuing process to refine things. I had some soreness last summer after several bullpen sessions and needed to take a break,” he said. “During the postseason, I did some light exercises to keep things flexible. This offseason was more about rest, and I’ve felt great since.”
The Dodgers plan to take a cautious approach with both pitchers this season, aiming to manage their workloads since they have missed substantial time. Nevertheless, both players have surfaced as significant prospects early this spring in the camp, and they might play crucial roles if the team’s rotation faces challenges.
