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By Ricardo Sandoval
Contributing Sports Writer
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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher River Ryan reveals that he gained 30 pounds while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Ryan said he went from 195 pounds to 225 pounds. He revealed to the media at Dodgers Fan Fest on Saturday.
"Before I got hurt, I think I was 195 pounds and now I'm hovering around 225," Ryan said. "That's helped a lot. I just ate a lot of calories and I lifted like an animal. I put on 30 pounds in like five months. Then I got to 230 and I had some talks with the weight coach. I was like man, it's really hard for me to move I've never been this heavy. I've always been able to throw pretty hard, but for me right now, I'm able to throw a lot harder a lot easier. Putting on some weight has really helped me in that process."
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Ryan added that he is excited to get back in the thick of things after missing over a year on the bump.
More news: 3 Former Dodgers Sign with NL Rival Ahead of 2026 Season
"I've been chomping at the bit to get back out there and actually participate in a Major League camp the last two years," Ryan said. "I've been injured and haven't been able to participate with the team, but I'm really excited to get out there and get the show going."
Can River Ryan Finally Break Through After Missing All of 2025 With Tommy John Surgery?
The 27-year-old missed all of the 2025 season as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. He initially suffered the injury in early August 2024.
Ryan exited that contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates with an elbow injury, later diagnosed as a UCL strain, which shut him down for the rest of the season. Two days later, the Dodgers announced he would require Tommy John surgery, ruling him out for the 2025 season.
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However, that is all in the past for the former top prospect. Ryan is ready to make a name for himself. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said during the Winter Meetings in December that they are excited to see Ryan back on the diamond.
"I'm excited for River. I'm excited for Gavin," Roberts said. "Because to see your teammates celebrate and go through what we went through and not be able to participate, those are things that we're all betting on for that extra hunger to kind of make their impact in 2026."
Ryan went 4-0 with a 1.33 ERA in his short MLB stint thus far. In an interview with Dodgers Nation's Doug McKain in December, Ryan opened up about his return to the rotation.
“Honestly, we have a lot of great starting pitchers," Ryan said. "But honestly, I’m just going to do what [the organization] tells me to do. I mean, it’s a blessing just to be able to play Major League Baseball at all. It’s definitely healthy competition. All of the guys get along. It’s fun to compete like that. I’m just going to go out there and control what I can control. I try not to worry about whether I’m going to be a No. 1 starter or a No. 5 starter. The chips are going to fall where they may.”
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