Dodgers News: Ryan Pepiot’s Return to Big Leagues Doesn’t Sound Imminent

Ryan Pepiot burst on the Dodgers scene last year where he tossed 36.1 innings to the tune of a 3.47 ERA. The promising young pitcher had a plus fastball with an elite changeup.

Coming into the 2023 season he won the fifth and final spot in the rotation before enduring an oblique injury that would land him on the 60-day injured list. Finally being activated off the injured list on August 2nd many people expected him to return to the big league ball club after a rehab start or two, well that may not be the case.

“[Ryan] had a great one [in his last outing.] He’s built up. I think for us it’s expecting him to do it again. … You know, right now, guys are throwing the baseball well. And Ryan hasn’t participated in quite some time. So, to see him getting consistency of outings and pitching well is good for him.”

(via Dave Roberts talking to SportsNetLA)

How great was the last start for Pepiot in AAA? Well, the 25-year-old pitcher took a perfect game all the way into the 6th inning.

The amazing performance awarded Pepiot with the AAA Player of the Week Award.

Why isn’t Pepiot heading up to the Dodgers then?

Simply put, the other starting arms in the rotation are performing very well. About two and a half weeks ago many people did not know what Tony Gonsolin and Julio Urias were gonna do, both having the worst year of their careers. The trade deadline addition of Lance Lynn was acquiring the worst ERA in all of baseball with a 6.47 ERA and giving up 28 home runs, also leading all pitchers.

Since the trade deadline, these are the stats for each of those three arms.

• Julio Urias 18 IP 3 ER 22 K 1.50 ERA 3-0 record
• Tony Gonsolin 17 IP 8 ER (6 in one game) 12 K 4.24 ERA 3-0 record
• Lance Lynn 18 IP 4 ER 22 K 2.00 ERA 3-0 record

All three question marks, for now, have turned into three very positive answers. All the starters are performing and there just isn’t room for Pepiot to join the club right now.

When might Pepiot be called up?

The most realistic answer would be after September 1st when the active roster expands to 28 and the Dodgers can add one more position player and one more arm.

However, if Pepiot keeps dominating in AAA like his last start, the Dodgers may have no choice but to reward his performances with a call back up to the big leagues.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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