'Definitely nerve-wracking': Ryan sharp in first outing since August '24

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- River Ryan is still unproven in the big leagues, but the first impression he made 18 months ago has held strong.

After making his big league debut in the summer of 2024, Ryan flashed some electric potential, recording a 1.33 ERA (three earned runs in 20 1/3 innings). But his first stint with the Dodgers was cut short after just four starts due to Tommy John surgery.

Now fully healthy, Ryan returned to the mound in Wednesday's 10-7 win over the D-backs, getting through a scoreless inning in his first game action since Aug. 10, 2024. The right-hander struck out Nolan Arenado looking and got Ildemaro Vargas to ground out before walking Jordan Lawlar, who was caught stealing to end the inning.

The Dodgers feel that Ryan is in a good spot, if not a bit behind Gavin Stone, who also missed the entirety of last season due to shoulder surgery. Ryan is still working to get his command back, as he landed only eight of the 19 pitches he threw for strikes. He said the adrenaline he felt getting back on the mound played a role in that.

"It was definitely nerve-wracking," Ryan said. "The hardest thing to control out there was my adrenaline. I haven't felt adrenaline like that in a year and a half, so trying to dial that back when I was out there was pretty hard. … Just happy I was able to get out there and exit the field, you know, intact."

The Dodgers came into Spring Training with a solid idea of what their rotation would look like come Opening Day, but there could be as many as three spots up for grabs behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani. Blake Snell appears unlikely to be able to ramp up in time for Opening Day. Roki Sasaki and Emmet Sheehan are projected to round out the six-man unit, but both will have to earn their spots by performing well this spring.

• Sasaki working on expanding pitch mix as he seeks to win rotation spot

There's a surplus of pitchers stretching out as starters in Dodgers camp, with Justin Wrobleski and Landon Knack also in the mix. Those who do not make the Opening Day rotation could potentially begin the season in the bullpen.

"There's a handful of guys that we just don't really know," manager Dave Roberts said earlier in spring. "We see them as starters. They're all starters. But once we break camp, we just don't know how we're going to fill out the roster with the best players."

Sound the trumpets
The Dodgers also got a first look at their new closer on Wednesday. Edwin Díaz, who joined the team on a three-year, $69 million contract in the offseason, also tossed a scoreless inning, pitching around a Druw Jones single and striking out Aramis Garcia.

Díaz expects to make one more Cactus League outing before departing to join Team Puerto Rico for the World Baseball Classic. He is thrilled about the opportunity to play in his native Puerto Rico for the first time as a professional, as Pool A play takes place at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, starting on March 6.

“I think that’s the most important thing for me, pitching in front of my family and friends," Díaz said. "People from Puerto Rico, they don’t have the chance to travel and see us play in the big leagues. So the chance to play in front of my family and friends will be something I’m looking forward to.”

Díaz has already bleached his hair blond -- a tradition for the Puerto Rican team -- in preparation.

"I got somebody to do it," he said. "If I did it to myself, I’d maybe go bald.”