The Los Angeles Dodgers signed right-handed pitcher Ryder Ryan, brother of current L.A. hurler River Ryan, to a minor league deal, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Ardaya reports Ryder Ryan will receive $800,000 if he reaches the major leagues during the duration of his deal. After news of the signing broke, River Ryan reacted to his brother’s signing.
“I’m excited to get out to big league camp and be on the same team again,” River Ryan said. “Last time we were on the same team was in high school. It’s really col to be able to be on a team like the Dodgers with your brother.
“…He’s got a sinker, a good cutter, working on a changeup right now, which I think is gonna be one of his better pitches, has a good slider. I think the Dodgers are going to really like what they see in him.”
Where Did Ryder Ryan Pitch Before the Dodgers Signed Him?
The Cleveland Indians drafted Ryder Ryan in the 2016 MLB Draft, though he didn’t remain with the organization for long. In 2017, Cleveland shipped the right-hander to the Mets in exchange for three-time All-Star Jay Bruce.
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He remained in the Mets organization for the next handful of years before being traded to the Texas Rangers in 2020. He stayed with the Rangers through 22, then signed with the Seattle Mariners ahead of the 2023 season.
Ryder Ryan got his chance in the big leagues that season, though only made one appearance for the team. He threw a scoreless inning and recorded two strikeouts before heading back down to the minors for the remainder of the season.
The following year, Ryder Ryan signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates and saw much more time in MLB. He came into 15 games for the Pirates, pitching 20.2 innings and posting a 5.66 ERA. The right-hander managed 17 strikeouts in that time.
After his brief major league stint in 2024, Ryder signed with the Pirates once again in 2025. He spent the entirety of the season in Triple-A, where he posted a 4.73 ERA through 42 appearances. He set a career-high in wins last season, recording eight over the course of the season.
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Ryder Ryan’s addition provides some insurance for the Dodgers, who struggled in the bullpen towards the end of last season. With spring training coming up and plenty of roster spots up for grabs, Ryder Ryan could very well find himself back at the MLB level soon.
