Two young pitchers returning from injury have become a “pleasant challenge,” Dodgers GM discusses trade possibilities.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ 27-year-old right-handed starter River Ryan made a striking impression after his MLB debut in July 2024 but was sidelined for the season after just four starts due to injury. Next year, he and another young pitcher, Gavin Stone, are expected to both return, adding depth to the Dodgers’ starting rotation while also presenting a “pleasant challenge” for the team.

Ryan was ranked 9th among Dodgers farm system rookies. When the team’s rotation was hit hard by injuries in 2024, he stepped up to start four games, pitching 20.1 innings while allowing only 3 runs and maintaining an ERA of 1.33. However, he later underwent Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the remainder of that season and the entire 2025 season.

Stone started 25 games in 2024, pitching 140.1 innings with 133 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.53. He underwent right shoulder surgery in October of the same year and is also expected to miss the 2025 season. Both pitchers are currently progressing well in their recovery and are likely to be ready for spring training next year.

“I’m really looking forward to Ryan, and equally to Stone,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in an interview. “Watching teammates celebrate victories while being unable to participate — we hope that feeling will fuel them to make a significant impact in 2026.”

However, after offseason reinforcements and injured players returning, the Dodgers’ starting rotation is already quite deep. It won’t be easy for Ryan and Stone to secure a spot. The current rotation includes Yusuke Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, and Emmet Sheehan, with Roki Sasaki also expected to return to a starting role.

According to the Dodgers’ official website, pitchers of major league caliber are extremely valuable assets, and the Dodgers may leverage their surplus pitching depth to make trades for higher-cost players who can provide immediate impact.

“We fully understand that pitching depth is a resource that can easily be depleted,” Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes stated. “That doesn’t mean we won’t act if trade opportunities arise. If we assess that the risks and rewards are worthwhile, we will make a move, but every decision inevitably involves weighing pros and cons.”