Dodgers insider hinting at River Ryan decision shows how deep pitching staff is

Dodgers writers have been calling LA's spring training the most boring camp in baseball, and it's not untrue. The front office has done a lot of work to get the team to a point where they don't have to make a lot of decisions in spring. They can get a good look at players who could be useful for them down the line and gear up for the season, but the Opening Day roster is all but set.

Still, there have been a couple of interesting storylines to follow throughout February and March. The big question is second base; Santiago Espinal earned himself what is ostensibly Kiké Hernández's spot on the bench, but Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland are still trying to prove themselves.

And the Dodgers' pitching staff is so deep that they could shake things up if they wanted to.

River Ryan has been one of LA's most successful arms by far, and that's while coming off of Tommy John surgery. He has a 1.80 ERA in 9 2/3 innings, and four walks to 12 strikeouts. He retired five in four innings on Sunday against the Rangers.

Could Ryan make his way onto the Dodgers' roster as a sixth starter, or take a bullpen spot for swingman or long relief duties? With Roki Sasaki struggling so much, could he even be good enough to force the Dodgers to kick Sasaki to Triple-A to start the year?

After all of the hype around Ryan during spring training, MLB.com's Sonja Chen expects the Dodgers to do the most underwhelming thing possible: keep him off the Opening Day roster.

MLB.com insider expects River Ryan to start Dodgers season in Triple-A despite hype

Chen outlined her reasoning in three parts: what the Dodgers need, what role they want him to play, and workload considerations. The third is perhaps the most tangible; Ryan looks great, but he's still coming off of a major surgery and can't/shouldn't be expected to take on a full starter's workload right out the gate.

She also argues the Dodgers don't need a sixth starter right now, and Justin Wrobleski has more experience in a swingman role, should the Dodgers need an occasional opener or sixth man.

Sending Ryan to the minors to stay in a rhythm as a starter and take what is ostensibly a long rehab assignment until the Dodgers feel like he's ready, or until they actually need him.

Again, it's underwhelming, but the Dodgers have no reason to rush any of their pitchers. Ryan's already looking a lot better than anyone would have thought coming off of Tommy John, but a little more time to get back to 100% won't hurt him.