The Timeline for Ryan Pepiot’s Return to the Dodgers Gets Worse
The Dodgers have been waiting for the return of righty hurler Ryan Pepiot all season long. Unfortunately, they’re going to be waiting even longer. Pepiot suffered an oblique injury just days before the start of the season after earning a role as the number five starter in the rotation. The letdown sadly continues for the rookie.
“Ryan hasn’t picked up a baseball yet,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday. “I think he was getting better, but there’s still something there with the oblique, with the rib. We’re a ways out.”
If Pepiot hasn’t even picked up a baseball, we’re looking at months away at best. Roberts’ wording also gives the perception that the injury has worsened or was worse than originally diagnosed.
Certainly, you feel bad for the 25-year-old who is losing his first full MLB season. But the Dodgers are also hurting without a guy they were expected to lean on this season.
The right-hander went 3-0 with a 3.47 ERA in 9 games last season, 7 of which were starts. With Pepiot sidelined, the Dodgers were forced to dive deeper into the minor league ranks earlier than anticipated with the debuts of guys like Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller. And Michael Grove has filled a number of innings that would have otherwise been earmarked for Pep.
When Will Ryan Pepiot Return?
In a best case scenario, Pepiot eats up some innings late in the season but, at this point in the year, with no throwing program on the horizon, he likely won’t be a postseason option.
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