Dodgers News: Rookie Ryan Pepiot is Heading to IL to Open the Season

Bad news for the rookie right-hander.

In unfortunate news, the Dodgers announced that RHP Ryan Pepiot is opening the season on the injured list with an oblique strain on his left side. Michael Grove will take his place on the opening day roster.

MLB.com's Juan Toribio was among those to report the news.

#Dodgers announce Ryan Pepiot will start the season on the injured list with a left oblique strain.

Michael Grove is on the OD roster as the No. 5 starter.

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) March 30, 2023

The rookie Pepiot, who was already filling in for the injured Tony Gonsolin (who is also opening the season on the IL as he recovers from an ankle sprain), was thrilled to fulfill a "lifelong dream" in being on the opening day roster. Now, baseball just shows that it can be a real pain at times.

Now, fellow rookie Michael Grove, who was in the running for the final spot in the starting rotation along with Pepiot, will get a shot to fill in over the next few weeks while Gonsolin gets right. The Dodgers hope Gonsolin can return by the end of April, leaving at least 4 starts potentially on the table.

Grove spent the final month of last season as the unofficial sixth starter for LA. In 7 games (6 starts), the 26-year-old put together a 4.60 ERA, striking out 24 while walking 10. He allowed 6 home runs in 29.1 innings. This spring, he struggled to keep runners off the base paths, allowing 10 earned runs over 16.2 innings.