Ryan Pepiot started the Los Angeles Dodgers’ final game on their 2023 Spring Training schedule at Angel Stadium against the Los Angeles Angels, but the outing didn’t go as he would have liked.
It was Pepiot’s first start since being named to the Dodgers Opening Day rotation, and he allowed five runs in 3.2 innings with four walks. “It wasn’t too great,” Pepiot said.
“I didn’t execute a lot of pitches, got behind guys, left some stuff over the inner half of the plate and got some balls hit hard. Got the pitch count up, which was positive. Just be able to learn from it and go into the season.”
Although it was far from an ideal outing, Pepiot doesn’t feel like he needs to make any adjustments before games start to count with his next start set to come against the Colorado Rockies in the regular season.
“I don’t feel like I rushed myself or let the game speed up,” Pepiot noted. “I just didn’t execute pitches. That’s what it came down to.”
While it would have been easy for the right-hander to lose focus in the game and think ahead to Opening Day and his next start, Pepiot didn’t feel like that was the case with his outing.
“No, not too much because I know I still have a job to do,” Pepiot said. “I’ve got to execute pitches, get outs and tune up for next week, which is very exciting. But today is one to forget about a little bit.”
Ultimately, Pepiot was still able to build up his arm by throwing 86 pitches, and next gets an opportunity to earn a win in a meaningful game.
Ryan Pepiot trying not to look too far ahead
It’s unclear how much of an opportunity Pepiot will get with the Dodgers, but it will likely come until the end of April, at least. The Dodgers remain hopeful Tony Gonsolin will return to their rotation by then, which would push Pepiot out unless any other injuries arise.
It’s a possibility he could stick around at the Major League level, but far from a guarantee. So with an uncertain future, Pepiot isn’t trying to look too far ahead.
“Just take it a day at a time,” he said. “Whatever the opportunity is, I’m here to help out the ballclub. So take it one day at a time, one start at a time, and let everything else play itself out.”
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