Nick Tepesch was officially called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City for his spot start in the four-game series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. He will wear No. 48 in his first Major League appearance since Sept. 26, 2014.
In a corresponding move to clear room for Tepesch on the 25-man and 40-man rosters, the Los Angeles Dodgers designated Will Venable for assignment. Tepesch signed a Minor-League contract with the Dodgers on June 6, two days after he was granted his release by the Texas Rangers.
The right-hander went 4-2 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 31 strikeouts and 11 walks in 11 starts (65.2 innings) for Triple-A Round Rock. Tepesch was 3-0 with a 2.50 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in three starts since joining the Oklahoma City rotation.
His lone Major League experience came with the Rangers over parts of the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Tepesch is a career 9-17 with a 4.56 ERA, 4.66 FIP and 1.37 WHIP in 42 Major League games (39 starts).
He missed all of last season due to elbow inflammation, which eventually led to surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in his right side last August. As for Venable, he appeared in just six games, making two starts, since with the Dodgers on June 14.
Venable had one hit (double), one hit by pitch and three strikeouts in 11 plate appearances over that span. Along with serving as a pinch-hitter, Venable played five games in right field.
With Venable no longer on the roster, the Dodgers once again do not have a left-handed batter on their four-man bench.
