The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation has been decimated by injuries all season long, with trouble beginning in Spring Training when Tony Gonsolin and Ryan Pepiot weren’t available come Opening Day.
As the season wore on, they’ve been joined on the 15-day injured list at various points by Michael Grove, Julio Urías, Noah Syndergaard and Clayton Kershaw.
Grove and Urías have since returned, but Syndergaard is in the early stages of a rehab assignment and Kershaw isn’t expected to be activated until some time in August.
Meanwhile, Pepiot’s left oblique strain that was considered relatively mild has prevented him from throwing a single pitch for the Dodgers. But like Syndergaard, Pepiot also started his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City over the weekend.
Dodgers injury updates
Ryan Pepiot
In what was his first game action since starting in the exhibition Freeway Series to conclude Spring Training, Pepiot completed two innings for OKC this past Friday.
He allowed one run on two hits and two walks, and also struck out a pair.
Considering his extended absence and long recovery from the oblique injury, Pepiot figures to use up all 30 days permitted for a pitcher while on a rehab assignment. That would allow for him to make a handful of starts before the Dodgers face a decision on what role Pepiot may have with the club.
Noah Syndergaard
After pitching in two simulated games against Dodgers teammates at Dodger Stadium, Syndergaard took the mound for Oklahoma City on Saturday.
The plan was for the right-hander to go four innings, but Syndergaard was efficient and got through five. Syndergaard allowed one home run and four hits overall, while collecting six strikeouts.
Syndergaard’s fastball velocity averaged 92.7 mph in the outing.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently did not provide much clarity on what the team wants to see from Syndergaard before potentially activating him off the 15-day IL. However, Roberts did note the quality and characteristics of Syndergaard’s pitches has to be improved from what has been seen most of the season.
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