Rays sign a former Dodger in lieu of Ryan Pepiot's unfortunate injury setback

A former Dodger is joining the Rays to potentially replace another former Dodger. Ryan Pepiot played for the Dodgers in 2022 and 2023, but didn't break out as a rotation starter until he joined the Rays in the Tyler Glasnow deal. Since then, Pepiot has accumulated a 4.2 WAR and 309 strikeouts in 297.2 innings. His loss so far this season has been felt as another young pitcher in Joe Boyle has had to pick up the slack for the rotation. With worse news surfacing around Pepiot's injury, the Rays' front office decided to search for some depth in the starting pitcher market.

Rays sign former Dodgers' starter Michael Grove

The 29-year-old Michael Grove was drafted by the Dodgers in the second round of the 2018 draft out of West Virginia University. Grove tallied 117 strikeouts in 92 frames along with a respectable 3.13 ERA. His most notable collegiate accomplishment was when he took a perfect game into the 8th inning against the University of Kansas.

The righty works with five different pitches on any given day. His slider and sinker are his used pitches in his repertoire. His sinking fastball clocks out at an average of 96 mph, while his slider drops about 9 mph in velocity. Grove's slider has been his most effective pitch throughout his career as opposing hitters hold a .204 AVG against the off-speed offering.

In three years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 6'3 hurler has tossed 149.1 innings and produced a below average 5.48 ERA. However, there are some positives to the West Virginia native's game. He strikes out opponents at a clip of about one per inning and he has collected seven victories so far in his young career.

The Rays decided to sign Michael Grove to a major league contract and he will assigned to the 15-day IL as he recovers from a right shoulder surgery that sidelined for the entirety of the 2025 campaign. Tampa Bay is hoping that he can be a key depth piece for a starting rotation that has been very successful so far. Rays' starters are currently third in the American League in ERA as they trail the Yankees (3.12) and Royals (2.64). Regardless, depth at any position is key and we hope to see Michael Grove ascend the mound as a Ray this season.

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