Dodgers: Ryan Pepiot Could Make His Big League Debut This Week
The Dodgers are set to kick off a series against the Pirates this afternoon. Coming off of 6 consecutive wins, they’ll look to keep it going against a Pittsburgh team that has won just 11 games through their first 27. They’ll look to Julio Urias to get things going against Jose Quintana today.
But the Dodgers are also going to need some help in their rotation. They’re playing their 5th game in 4 days, and are in the middle of playing 14 consecutive games without a break. So they will almost certainly look to the farm for some help this Wednesday.
One option is Robbie Erlin, who was their 27th man during the double-header on Saturday. Erlin is currently on the team’s 40-man roster and would not need a spot freed up. But the Dodgers could also be throwing a new name into the hat. Ryan Pepiot is traveling with the team on their practice squad, according to Juan Toribio.
#Dodgers have Ryan Pepiot on the taxi squad. They haven’t decided if he’ll start on Wednesday, but they might be leaning that way.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) May 9, 2022
If they wanted to, the Dodgers could give Pepiot his first big league shot against a team that has not hit very well. Pittsburgh’s combined team wRC+ is just 92, the 9th worst in Major League Baseball. That could be a very soft landing spot for him to make his first appearance in the big leagues.
But for now, the Dodgers have not made a decision on that. Pepiot has pitched very well at OKC across his first 6 starts. He has thrown 26.2 innings and allowed 6 earned runs for a 2.05 ERA. Pep has also punched out 36 batters and issued 12 walks en route to a 2-0 record.
Dodgers Related: Kershaw Logs Career First in Chicago
Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!
Dodgers: Pair of LA Relievers Visit Iconic Chicago Deep Dish Spot
There was a pitcher back in the day. The Dodgers would call him up for a spot start . Then sent him back down after the game. The next season he stuck. They traded him after the next year. He was too small and skinny. Even though he did have a good year. His name was Pedro Martinez. Now Pepiot may never be a Pedro. Or a Ramon. But giving him a shot would be huge right now. If he has a rough time; pull him early. We do have a good offense and a good relief staff. He goes back down to figure things out. But what if he hangs in there? He goes back down and figures things he needs to tweak. And then what if he pitches well? Or dominates? We have a spot starter and long relief guy. And another pitcher who could slide into a more regular slot. I say give Pepiot a shot.
Pepiot was hit very hard in spring training, as he had trouble getting any outs. One day he may turn out to be a heck of a pitcher for the Dodgers, but I dont think he is ready to start.