The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Ryan Pepiot from Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to their series finale against the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
Pepiot is starting in place of Julio Urías, who was put on administrative leave by MLB amid an investigation into his arrest on suspicion of felony domestic charges.
That removed Urías from the Dodgers’ active and 40-man rosters, which effectively cleared a spot for Pepiot to join the team.
Pepiot had been optioned to OKC on August 31 as the corresponding move to Shelby Miller coming off the 60-day IL, but was eligible to return without waiting the requisite 15 days due to the unique circumstances.
Pepiot was named to the Dodgers’ Opening Day starting rotation but wound up beginning the season on the 15-day injured list because of an oblique strain. The right-hander made his 2023 debut on August 19, and has bounced to and from Oklahoma City since then.
Pepiot’s first two appearances with the Dodgers this season both were out of the bullpen and as part of a doubleheader. His most recent outing came in the form of a start against the Arizona Diamondbacks that saw him throw five scoreless innings.
Pepiot is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in the three games (one start). While the 26-year-old is naturally a starter, he expressed a willingness to follow an opener or pitch at any point out of the bullpen should the Dodgers need more flexibility.
Ryan Pepiot finding success with improved changeup
Among the factors to Pepiot’s success this season is an improved changeup that he has been able to keep in the strike zone. “It’s not just an automatic ball out of my hand,” Pepiot said.
“So just being able to have that if I get behind in the count or have something else to go to behind the fastball.”
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