In Los Angeles, the Dodgers kicked off their 2026 season with a win, while down in Triple-A, the Oklahoma City Comets were just getting started. The Comets unveiled their roster, featuring standout names like Hyeseong Kim and PCL MVP Ryan Ward. Yet, the absence of right-handed pitcher River Ryan caught some attention.
Ryan, at 27, had been sent to Triple-A after an impressive showing in the Cactus League. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained that Ryan's assignment was to help him build up his arm strength after missing the entire 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery. Alongside Ryan, Kyle Hurt was also optioned to Triple-A for similar reasons.
However, Ryan's name was missing from the Comets' roster because he’s staying in Arizona for extended spring training. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Ryan is expected to pitch for another weekend in Arizona before joining the Comets in April.
As for Ryan's return to the Dodgers, it's a bit more complex. While there's hope for a May or June return, nothing is set in stone. During his brief MLB stint in 2024, Ryan posted an impressive 1.33 ERA over four games, and he continued to shine this spring with a 1.86 ERA over 9.2 innings.
On the roster front, after the Dodgers' Opening Day triumph against the Diamondbacks, the OKC Comets rolled out their lineup for the season. Of the 43 players on the Dodgers' 40-man roster-factoring in those on the 60-day IL-10 are currently on the injured list, 26 are active in the majors, and the remaining seven are with the Comets.