With Tony Gonsolin ruled out for the Opening Day roster, the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation has an opening that is expected to be filled by Michael Grove, Ryan Pepiot or potentially Andre Jackson.
Pepiot’s latest opportunity to add onto his impressive showing in Spring Training came Friday. He held the Chicago Cubs to just one run and collected four strikeouts over three innings.
While the Dodgers continue to evaluate their options down the final stretch of Spring Training, Pepiot expressed confidence he has a better grasp on what to expect and is better equipped should the team need him to fill in, via
SportsNet LA:
“I’m definitely more prepared than I was last year. Third camp, more comfortable, more comfortable with all the guys. So if I do get that opportunity, great.”
Pepiot went on to add he has not given much thought to being part of the Dodgers Opening Day rotation and instead remains focused on continuing to improve:
“I don’t want to look too much into it, or else I could go down a rabbit hole and try to press too much, which is one of the things I did last year.”
Peiot went 3-0 with a 3.47 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over nine games (seven starts) for the Dodgers last season. His struggles stemmed from failing to consistently throw strikes, evident by Pepiot walking 27 batters over 36.1 innings.
That was a focal point for the right-hander during the offseason and he’s carried that into Spring Training by walking just three batters in nine innings over four starts.
Ryan Pepiot injury watch
The Dodgers exploded for eight runs in the fourth inning on Friday, which was a factor in Pepiot coming out of the game due to the lengthy amount of time that passed.
However, Roberts revealed Pepiot additionally experienced some side discomfort that caused the team to err on the side of caution. The Dodgers don’t believe Pepiot’s injury is serious and he should remain on schedule.
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