Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Not Yet Committed to Ryan Pepiot’s Role in Postseason

Dave Roberts hasn't decided if Ryan Pepiot will either start or be a reliever during the postseason.

Since the middle of August, Ryan Pepiot has pitched great. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn’t know what role Pepiot will have during the postseason.

“The outlook’s good. He’s earned that. Earning that,” Roberts said about Pepiot making the postseason roster. “I think he’s got three more starts left after tonight. So we’ll see. Whether it’s a starter, as I said, or we open for him, I don’t know how that’s going to look for him. But the hope is he just continues to go out there and pitch well.”

Dave Roberts tells his favorite stolen base moment and what he expects from Ryan Pepiot for the rest of the season. pic.twitter.com/U9CRW0WS0J

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 14, 2023

During spring training, Pepiot earned a spot in the Dodger starting rotation by pitching well, but he suffered a strained oblique. The muscle was in an awkward position to receive treatment so it lingered for a long time.

Pepiot didn’t pick up a baseball until July, and he didn’t appear in the major leagues until August 19th against the Miami Marlins. In his four major league appearances before Wednesday's start against the San Diego Padres, he had 2 wins and no losses with a 0.86 ERA. Last Thursday against the Marlins, Pepiot had a perfect game until in the seventh.

While Pepoit allowed four runs in six innings on Wednesday against the Padres, he didn’t pitch badly at all. He had two pitches where he didn’t want them which turned into mistakes.

Since the Dodger starting rotation is in flux with Julio Urías’ legal problems and Clayton Kershaw’s balky shoulder, the Dodgers and Roberts must trust the rookies. Bobby Miller barring injury is guaranteed a spot in the starting rotation and Pepiot has been the second most impressive starting rookie pitcher. This postseason, the Dodgers must depend on the strength of rookies for their success.