Dodgers Injury News: Ryan Pepiot Finally Starting Throwing Program, Still a Ways Away
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been faced with a wave of injury issues in recent months, and the pitching staff has taken the hardest hits.
Walker Buehler has been trying to rehab his way back from Tommy John surgery, Noah Syndergaard had been one of the worst starters in the MLB this season before he was curiously placed on the injured list with a blister, while Julio Urias is attempting to make his return from a hamstring injury that has plagued him in recent weeks. Then there’s Dustin May, who has no timetable to return from his elbow injury.
All told, that’s four starters that were expected to make an impact in 2023 that are not currently doing that, but there is a positive development on a fifth, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.
#Dodgers Andrew Friedman said Ryan Pepiot has begun a throwing program at Camelback Ranch complex. Pepiot hasn't pitched since spring training due to an oblique strain.
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) June 21, 2023
Pepiot, a former top pitching prospect in the organization, was expected to play a bigger role in 2023 after making his debut last season before his oblique injury scuffled those plans.
The hard-throwing right hander had problems with his command last season, something that his 6.7 walks per nine innings ratio reflects. That said, he did show flashes of what made him a top Dodger prospect, including the development of a changeup that opponents hit just .107 against.
If Pepiot can make his return and continue to refine an already solid foundation, the 25-year-old will certainly be an asset to the team going forward.
Of course, he still has a long way to go to make that much anticipated return to a major league mound, but the fact that he’s starting his throwing program is positive news nonetheless, and hopefully he has no more setbacks through the rest of his rehab.
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