The Los Angeles Dodgers are just four games into playing 31 over 30 days thanks to two doubleheaders this month, which is sure to take a toll on their pitching staff.
Their starting rotation has been a strong point for the team this season, led by Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias. Meanwhile, Tyler Anderson, Tony Gonsolin and Andrew Heaney, who is currently on the 10-day injured list, have also performed well.
However, because of their doubleheader this past Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, the Dodgers need another starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates to make sure no one ends up taking the mound on short rest.
Among pitchers under consideration to start were Ryan Pepiot, Andre Jackson and Robbie Erlin. Of those, Erlin is the only one on the active roster, but the Dodgers have put Pepiot on their taxi squad, indicating he could be the favorite and make his MLB debut on Wednesday according to David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:
#Dodgers will taxi Ryan Pepiot to possibly start Wednesday
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) May 9, 2022
Pepiot is one of the top prospects in the Dodgers organization and has been performing very well for Triple-A Oklahoma City.
His strong start to the season earned him Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Month honors for April. Across his five starts during that span, the Dodgers’ No. 2 pitching prospect went 2-0 with a 1.66 ERA.
The right-hander was selected in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft and has been considered on the verge of making his debut soon. The Dodgers considered it last season, but Pepiot struggled after a promotion to Triple-A.
Although he’s close to his debut, Pepiot has said he’s just focused on improving his abilities to make sure he is ready for when his time comes and not focusing on how close he is to earning the promotion.
Two starts for Pepiot?
If the Dodgers do add Pepiot to their active roster for a start on Wednesday, he could be optioned the following day and join the team again next week when they play a doubleheader against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Pepiot would be eligible to get recalled as the 27th player for the doubleheader, which doesn’t require a player to wait the standard 10 days to return after being optioned.
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