LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers made a surprising move on Monday, designating veteran pitcher James Paxton for assignment. Despite Paxton's solid performance this season, the Dodgers have expressed confidence in their returning pitchers from the injured list and their prospects in the Minor Leagues. One of these promising prospects, River Ryan, made an impressive Major League debut, helping the Dodgers secure a 3-2 win over the San Francisco Giants.

River Ryan, ranked as the Dodgers' No. 4 prospect, had been sidelined for the first few months of the season due to a right shoulder injury. However, upon his return, the young right-hander wasted no time in showcasing why he is considered one of the top pitching prospects in the Minors. Against the Giants, Ryan exhibited a high 90s fastball, complemented by a slider, changeup, and curveball, earning praise from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

Ryan's debut performance was outstanding as he allowed only one run over 5 1/3 innings of work. His first career strikeout came against Tyler Fitzgerald with a 96.6 mph fastball that perfectly painted the outside corner of the plate. As the outing progressed, Ryan grew more comfortable on the mound, though fatigue started to set in during the sixth inning. Nonetheless, when he was taken out of the game, Ryan received a standing ovation from the Dodger Stadium crowd.

Teoscar Hernández was another key contributor for the Dodgers in Monday's victory. He accounted for all three runs, launching a solo homer off two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the fourth inning and delivering a pair of RBI singles, including the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.

With a successful start out of the All-Star break, winning four consecutive games against the Red Sox and Giants, the Dodgers have cemented their position as one of the best teams in the Majors. As the Trade Deadline approaches, the Dodgers will carefully evaluate their roster to determine areas of need, with starting pitching being a key consideration for potential trades.

River Ryan's impressive debut and Teoscar Hernández's consistent offensive contributions are further evidence that the Dodgers have the potential to become even stronger when their injured players return and continue to receive impactful performances from their prospects. The team's focus remains on collective efforts and doing the little things to contribute to victories.

As the deadline looms, the Dodgers will remain ambitious in their pursuit of acquiring impact arms to bolster their roster. Despite the notable departure of James Paxton, the team believes it has the depth and talent to remain competitive and maintain their status as one of the premier teams in the league.