Ryan Pepiot made a second rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City, building on his first outing with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top Minor League affiliate but taking a loss against the El Paso Chihuahuas.
Pepiot pitched 2.2 innings, allowing four runs on four hits, including two homers. He collected four strikeouts and issued one walk while facing 13 batters.
Pepiot threw 48 pitches, including 29 for strike. The right-hander threw 29 pitches over two innings in his first rehab start on July 20.
After being named the fifth starter for the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation because Tony Gonsolin suffered a sprained left ankle, Pepiot injured his oblique in a final tuneup of Spring Training.
He was optimistic the injury was relatively minor and a throwing program would begin roughly one week after the regular season started. However, that never came to pass as Pepiot dealt with lingering discomfort.
Considering the extended absence and long recovery from the left oblique strain, Pepiot is likely 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.
It’s plausible Pepiot would start another rehab assignment after the initial 30 days expire, like Jimmy Nelson has, or the Dodgers could activate him off the 60-day injured list and option the 25-year-old to Oklahoma City for the time being.
Can Ryan Pepiot help the Dodgers?
Once Pepiot gets healthy, he figures to spend at least some time up with the Dodgers this season. Particularly when taking into account their starting rotation has dealt with a rash of injuries and inconsistent performances from multiple pitchers.
Among them is Noah Syndergaard, who like Pepiot is on rehab assignment with Oklahoma City.
Pepiot made his MLB debut last season and went 3-0 with a 3.47 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over nine games (seven starts). He was plagued by walks but showed better command in Cactus League starts this year.
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