Ryan Pepiot was initially named to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation for the 2023 season, but lost his spot due to a left oblique strain that forced him to the 15-day injured list.

Pepiot originally believed he would make a relatively quick recovery, but it wound up being a drawn-out process because the injury entailed some intercostal trouble as well.

The Dodgers transferred Pepiot to the 60-day IL and he wouldn’t begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City until July 14. After making six starts for the club’s top Minor League affiliate, the 26-year-old rejoined the Majors on August 19.

Pepiot allowed one run on three hits and collected five strikeouts over five innings pitched in his 2023 debut against the Miami Marlins.

Pepiot quickly became one of the Dodgers’ most valuable arms due to his ability to fill multiple roles. He made traditional starts, pitched out of the bullpen and served as a bulk pitcher.

In eight games (three starts) for the Dodgers, Pepiot went 2-1 with a 2.14 ERA, 4.18 FIP, 0.76 WHIP and 38-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 42 innings pitched.

With OKC, Pepiot posted an 0-2 record with a 3.97 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 10.3 strikeouts per nine in 22.2 innings of work across six starts.

Ryan Pepiot 2023 highlight

Pepiot enjoyed his best performance of the 2023 season on September 7, when he yielded just one hit over seven scoreless innings against the Marlins.

After the win, Pepiot said Dodgers teammates made him away of the perfect game bid around the fifth inning. He wound up allowing a single with two outs in the seventh.

2024 outlook

The Dodgers traded Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Tyler Glasnow, Manuel Margot and cash considerations.

Pepiot immediately slots into the Rays rotation and gives them another young, controllable starter as he isn’t scheduled to reach free agency until after the 2028 season.