Dodgers considering cementing Padres' misery with call-up to replace Bobby Miller

The Dodgers' decision to demote Bobby Miller on Wednesday was a little shocking, even if it did happen right after he got shelled by the Phillies in the worst start of his career. LA's rotation is in shambles after losing three starters to the IL (and probably poor performance, in the case of Walker Buehler) in short order.

After Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto went down, they had to turn to fast-tracked top prospect Justin Wrobleski to round out the back of the starting core, but it still left them with five starters where they would've preferred six. Miller going back to Triple-A, even though it was the right move for the Dodgers, was an unexpected, self-inflicted wound.

It's unlikely that a pitcher who said he was "bored" during his minor league rehab starts will take a demotion well, but he'll have to put his head down and grind if he wants to get back to the majors this season. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are going to need to find a way to pivot, and fast, at least before they can trade for some reinforcements at the trade deadline.

Wrobleski was the latest top prospect to get the call but likely won't be the last. Dave Roberts said that No. 4 prospect River Ryan, who came over to the Dodgers from the Padres in early 2022, is "certainly a possibility" to get a call up after the All-Star break.

Dodgers calling up No. 4 prospect River Ryan to replace Bobby Miller in ailing rotation is "certainly a possibility"

The Dodgers sent Matt Beaty to San Diego in the return for Ryan, which almost immediately turned into a win for LA after Beaty got hurt in June and was DFA'ed by the Padres at the end of the season, while Ryan continued to excel in Single- and then High-A. He started the 2024 season on the 60-day IL with shoulder fatigue, but returned in early June and did rehab stints in Rookie ball and Single-A before returning to Triple-A officially on June 15.

He's pitched 16 1/3 innings since then and has looked pretty good, with a 2.76 ERA while he's slowly been ramping back up to pitching 4-5 innings at a time. In his latest start on Wednesday, he went five innings and gave up just two runs while striking out six batters.

Wrobleski was called up with less under his belt (10 1/3 innings, 4.35 ERA), so it wouldn't be surprising at all if Ryan gets the tap to take over at least until the deadline. This certainly isn't an ideal situation for the Dodgers to find themselves in, but at least they'll be rubbing some salt into the Padres' wounds if they do call him up.