Ryan Pepiot is Trying Not to Think About Potentially Making the Dodgers Roster
The Dodgers got the upper hand over the Cubs on Friday, winning on a final of 9-7. But it came at a bit of a cost. Starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot left the game after a long fourth inning by the LA offense with what the team said was discomfort in his side.
After the game, manager Dave Roberts told reporters that he didn't expect the issue to linger.
Pepiot made it through 3 innings allowing 2 hits and 1 run to the Cubs in his fourth start of the spring. So far, it's been good for the rookie right-hander as he looks to make a statement in front of Roberts and the big league staff.
As it stands, Pepiot is in the running to fill in for the injured Tony Gonsolin who will be on the injured list to open the season. Pepiot was asked about the possibility of making the opening day roster for the first time in his career, and he smartly is not worrying about that at the moment.
“I don’t want to look too much into it or else I can go down a rabbit hole and try to press too much, which is kind of one of the things I did last year. So I’m just going out, executing pitches, continuing to get work every single day. Whether it’s me, whether it’s Michael (Grove) or somebody else, we all have a job to do and help the team win. So whoever they feel is the best opportunity to do that then all power to them.”
On Friday, Dave Roberts threw another rookie hurler, Andre Jackson, in the mix for the opening day roster as well. Whoever the team ends up choosing will likely be based on how long Gonsolin will be sidelined with his ankle injury. If it's more long term, Pepiot might get a nice runway early in the season. If it's for one turn in the rotation then perhaps Jackson gets the nod.
One factor to consider is the options rule introduced last year. A team can only option a player back to the minor leagues five times in a season before they are forced to keep them on the major league roster or risk losing them to another team.
When Pepiot gets the call, the assumption is that he'll be up to stay for at least a while. Grove and Jackson will likely be more of the spot start variety.
