The Dodgers can dress it up however they want, but this spring is starting to look like the beginning of a different conversation for River Ryan. And it’s a “the plan may be shifting” kind of conversation.
Coming into camp, Ryan was still being viewed as a starting option, which makes sense on paper. The Dodgers have talked openly about wanting as many pitchers as possible built up for length because they know rotation plans in March rarely survive contact with the actual season. Dave Roberts essentially said the organization values having starters stretched to three, four, or five innings because it creates flexibility once the schedule starts making demands.