Dodgers News: LA Activates Rookie Pitcher to Replace Julio Urias on Active Roster

The Dodgers have their hurler.

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a notable roster move on Thursday. 

LA activated rookie pitcher Ryan Pepiot to replace Julio Urias on the team's active roster, and the rookie will start on Thursday against the Miami Marlins, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said and the team announced on Thursday. 

The Dodgers recalled RHP Ryan Pepiot.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 7, 2023

The move comes after Urias was arrested Sunday night on a felony domestic violence charge, likely putting an end to his Dodgers tenure. 

Urias was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball on Wednesday, as is their usual course of action during domestic violence investigations. The league took the same step with former Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer when he was investigated for domestic violence in 2021. 

Pepiot has done well in brief action for Los Angeles this season, putting up a 1.29 ERA in three starts. He threw five shutout innings his last time out against the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 30. 

The Dodgers starting rotation depth will be tested in the last month of the regular season, as beyond Urias' arrest, Clayton Kershaw continues to struggle with his command following his return from shoulder soreness, walking five in Tuesday's outing against Miami. 

The team called up Emmet Sheehan on September 1 and Walker Buehler's return from Tommy John surgery looks imminent following his first rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City. 

As for this week though, Pepiot will get the call both on Thursday and presumably going forward, taking the spot in LA's rotation formerly occupied by Urias. 

It remains to be seen how things will actually turn out for the team over this final month of the regular season, but on paper at least, the Dodgers will likely have a serviceable rotation heading into the postseason.