Ryan Pepiot made his Los Angeles Dodgers season debut last week in large part because of an unexpected doubleheader, and pitched well enough to warrant consideration as a candidate to replace Tony Gonsolin in the starting rotation.
“Certainly, the way he threw the baseball speaks to him getting another opportunity or opportunities. I just don’t know right now how that’s going to look for the next couple weeks,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Saturday.
Including his appearance after an opener with the Dodgers, Pepiot has only pitched in seven games this year since recovering from a left oblique strain/intercostal injury that cost him a spot on the Opening Day roter.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, Pepiot is on the Dodgers taxi squad for the road trip and could start Thursday in the series finale against the Cleveland Guardians:
He traveled to Cleveland with the Dodgers and remains with the team on the taxi squad.
Although the Dodgers had off days on Sunday and Monday, Pepiot possibly slotting into the rotation provides the rest of the rotation with even more rest.
Most notably, Lance Lynn is pushed back to the series opener against the Boston Red Sox. Lynn’s forthcoming start at Fenway Park is going to be on seven days’ rest. Lynn made two starts in a row on regular rest before receiving an extra day heading into his outing against the Milwaukee Brewers.
For Pepiot, his first start of the season with the Dodgers — if indeed Thursday — is going to come on regular rest.
Ryan Pepiot relieved with return
At the time of originally being diagnosed with a left oblique strain, Pepiot expressed confidence he would only need to take a few days off from throwing before beginning the rehab process to make a quick return.
He instead wound up missing nearly four months due to also dealing with intercostal trouble.
“It was surprising, but it wasn’t really going away,” Pepiot recalled. “Each day I’d be coming in and they’d ask if I feel any better and I’m like, ‘A little bit,’ but when I went to throw I just couldn’t do it. Then having some imaging done, we got more answers and it made sense.”
Now healthy again, the 26-year-old is eager to pitch, whether for Oklahoma City or the Dodgers.
“Wherever I throw, wherever they tell me to go, I’ll be ready for it,” Pepiot said.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
