Top 5 call-up candidates for Dodgers' expanded September rosters

No. 1: Ryan Pepiot

Pepiot has been used as the Dodgers' 27th man for both of the team's doubleheaders over the course of the last week, and it is almost like those doubleheader rosters are a sign of things to come. Pepiot was supposed to be a part of the pitching staff on Opening Day as well, but an injury landed him on the 60-day IL and he had stayed there until a recent return. First, Pepiot made six appearances in Triple-A. In his first three starts, Pepiot posted a 7.88 ERA after giving up seven runs on 12 hits and three home runs in 12 innings. But then, just like he did in 2022 in the majors, Pepiot made the necessary adjustments and posted three strong outings.

After those three subpar outings, Pepiot gave up one earned run on a solo homer in four innings pitched in his first outing in August. He gave up two more earned runs in four innings in his next start, but then Pepiot put it all together when he took perfect game into the 7th inning, striking out 11 batters in 6.2 innings of one-hit baseball.

Pepiot has been used as the 27th man for the Dodgers' two doubleheaders in the last week (how often does that happen to LA!?), accumulating nine innings across two appearances. He allowed just two earned runs on six hits, striking out 11 batters. Now, it looks as though Pepiot will be named the 27th man on the Dodgers roster once again, although this time around, the move will stick for more than just the day of a doubleheader.