Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (undisclosed) left his start early on Thursday but does not have an injury designation, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The right-hander logged only two innings of work against the Guardians before departing. Pepiot ran into some trouble, as he served up four hits, two walks, and two earned runs while only striking out one. However, since Aug. 16, Pepiot has carried a strong 2.81 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any updates regarding the 27-year-old, as he may be on another strict pitch count in his next start. In his first season in Tampa Bay, the former Dodger sits with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP through 113 innings of work.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot picked up his seventh win of the season on his birthday in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Athletics, going six innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits, a walk, and a hit batsman, while striking out five. It was the seventh consecutive start in which the 27-year-old held the opponent to two runs or fewer, posting a 2.02 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 14:32 BB:K over 35 2/3 IP during that stretch. For the season, the righty owns a 3.65 ERA (3.79 FIP), 1.05 WHIP, and a 17.9% K-BB%. He gets a favorable matchup his next time out when he faces Seattle, the team that strikes out the most in the majors.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (knee) is in line to be activated from the 15-day injured list and start on Friday against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks at Tropicana Field. It's been a longer than expected road to recovery for Pepiot after dealing with a right-knee infection that was believed to have been caused by a spider bite. The 26-year-old has been out for the last month, so he'll be a much more shaky fantasy option in his return on Friday against a streaking Diamondbacks squad. In his lone minor-league rehab start for Double-A Montgomery, Pepiot went 3 1/3 innings and was able to get up to 69 pitches, so he's unlikely to go that deep in his first start back. The former third-rounder by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019 out of Butler will return to a 6-5 record, 3.92 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP and 94 strikeouts in 87 1/3 innings over his 17 starts.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (knee), who is 6-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 17 starts for the Rays this year, gave up one hit and two walks while striking out seven over 3 1/3 scoreless innings in a 69-pitch minor-league rehab start for Double-A Montgomery on Saturday, which was his first game action since July 14. Manager Kevin Cash said the Rays were "encouraged" with what they heard about Pepiot's outing. He returned to Tropicana Field on Sunday and played catch before the game. The Rays will soon determine his next step, which will likely be a return to the big-league rotation. The 26-year-old went on the injured list due to a knee infection that emerged at the end of the All-Star break and required a stay in a hospital to receive antibiotics and IV fluids. At its worst, Pepiot said his knee swelled to the size of a softball. If he's available on your league's waiver wire, pick him up.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (knee) will make a minor-league rehab start for Double-A Montgomery on Saturday. The Rays are sending him to Double-A rather than Triple-A Durham to avoid inclement weather. Pepiot is slated to throw somewhere between 65 and 75 pitches in his rehab outing, manager Kevin Cash said before Friday's game against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles. There was initially some hope that the 26-year-old right-hander, who holds a promising 3.92 ERA ,1.07 WHIP, and 94:31 K:BB in 17 starts for the Rays this season, would be able to come off the injured list without needing any rehab action as he made his way through his throwing progression from a right knee infection, but Pepiot now won't be back until the middle of next week at the earliest. Given that it hasn't been a particularly lengthy absence, he shouldn't require more than an appearance or two in the minors before rejoining Tampa Bay's rotation.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (knee) threw another bullpen session on Tuesday but expectedly still felt some stiffness in his knee between simulated innings. Pepiot is scheduled to throw another bullpen on Friday at Minute Maid Park ahead of the series opener against the hosting Houston Astros, and Tampa Bay will determine his next step based on how he responds to that. The 26-year-old former third-round pick went 6-5 with a 3.92 ERA (3.85 FIP) and 1.07 WHIP with 94 strikeouts and 31 walks in 17 starts (87 1/3 innings) for the Rays before going on the injured list due to a knee infection that emerged at the end of the All-Star break, and he figures to be able to return sometime in early August without heading out on an abbreviated minor-league rehab assignment. Upon his activation from the IL, Pepiot should take Tyler Alexander's rotation spot.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (knee) threw a bullpen session on Saturday and will throw a more intense bullpen on Tuesday, which will either be followed by a simulated game or a minor-league rehab assignment. Pepiot, who is 6-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 17 starts for the Rays this year, will miss at least the minimum 15 days on the IL due to a knee infection that he thinks originated from a spider bite. He required a stay in a hospital in New York to receive antibiotics and IV fluids. At its worst, Pepiot said his knee swelled up to the size of a softball. The swelling in his right knee has decreased considerably, allowing him to throw on July 24, 25 and 26. The 26-year-old might not be returning to Tampa's rotation for a bit longer, but he deserves to be stashed in an IL spot in the majority of fantasy leagues until he's ready.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (knee) provided an update on his knee infection on Saturday, telling the media the issue stemmed from a bug bite, likely a spider, causing his knee to swell up "like the size of a softball" while he spent 60 hours in the hospital as a result. Acquired in the trade that sent star righty Tyler Glasnow to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason, Pepiot is scheduled to throw 20-25 pitches off the bullpen mound on Saturday, which could determine when he comes off the 15-day injured list. It's unclear if he will require a start with Triple-A Durham or join the big club when first eligible to come off the IL. The 26-year-old has been solid in his first season in Tampa, working to a 3.92 ERA and a 26.7% K% across 17 starts and 87 1/3 innings of work, providing solid value to fantasy managers who took him later in drafts this spring.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (knee) hopes to throw off a mound either before Saturday's game against the visiting Cincinnati Reds or early next week. Manager Kevin Cash said Pepiot was "doing much better" and moving around well after being discharged from the hospital on Monday due to a right knee infection and flying home to St. Petersburg. With there being optimism that Pepiot will resume throwing in the next couple of days, there's a good chance he'll be able to avoid a minor-league rehab assignment and return to Tampa Bay and be activated from the 15-day injured list sometime in early August. The 26-year-old right-hander has gone 6-5 with a promising 3.92 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 94 strikeouts and 31 walks in 17 starts (87 1/3 innings) for the Rays, and he should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues.

The Tampa Bay Rays are hoping that right-hander Ryan Pepiot (knee) will miss only the minimum 15 days on the injured list. Pepiot was scheduled to start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday but was put on the IL on Sunday morning with a right-knee infection. Manager Kevin Cash said Pepiot felt some soreness in his knee at the end of the All-Star break late last week, which escalated to pain and swelling. It's unclear how the injury came about. Pepiot was sent to the hospital early Saturday morning and is receiving antibiotics and IVs. He will return to St. Petersburg when he's discharged from the hospital. Cash said Pepiot was "totally fine and doing well" but will likely need "some time" for the inflammation to subside. The 26-year-old has a 3.92 ERA in 17 starts in 2024 and deserves to be stashed in at least deep-mixed fantasy leagues.UPDATE: Pepiot is expected to be released from the hospital on Monday and fly back to St. Petersburg on Tuesday to continue treatment.

The Tampa Bay Rays placed right-hander Ryan Pepiot (knee) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to July 19) on Sunday with a right-knee infection and recalled right-hander Tyler Zuber from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. It's a tough break for the Rays and Pepiot's fantasy managers, but the good news is that he's not dealing with an injury to his arm. The 26-year-old's next scheduled start was for Tuesday's game on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays, and it's looking like Jeffrey Springs (elbow) could come off the 60-day IL to make his 2024 debut in that matchup. It's unclear if Pepiot will have to miss more than 15 days on the IL, but fantasy managers should keep him stashed in most formats. In his 17 starts (87 1/3 frames) in 2024, Pepiot has gone 6-5 with a 3.92 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with a career-high 26.7% strikeout rate and 8.8% walk rate.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot fired six scoreless innings, scattering two hits with four strikeouts and no walks against Cleveland on Sunday. Pepiot picked up his sixth win of the season as the Rays shut out the Guardians 2-0. The right-hander moved to 6-5 on the season with a 3.92 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 94 strikeouts in 87 1/3 innings. He will look to carry momentum from this dominant start into the second half of the season after this week's All-Star break.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot turned in an excellent start in his team's 5-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Pepiot allowed one run on one hit over 5 1/3 innings of work while striking out eight and walking two. He wound up with a no-decision in the start as the Tampa bullpen coughed up four runs. Pepiot now has a 4-4 record, 4.40 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts over 71 2/3 innings of work for the Rays in 2024. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start on Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox. As expected, Pepiot will make his return to the Rays' starting rotation after initially landing on the injured list with a bruised lower left leg after he was hit by a comebacker in his last start on May 5. The 26-year-old didn't require any minor-league rehab starts because he wasn't dealing with an injury to his arm, so fantasy managers should feel a bit more comfortable throwing him back into their starting lineups right away. The matchup against the Red Sox isn't a great one, however, as they rank eighth in all of baseball with a .724 team OPS. Since giving up six earned runs in his season debut on April 1, Pepiot has looked better and will return on Wednesday to a 3.68 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 41 K's in 36 2/3 innings over his seven starts.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (lower leg) is expected to be reinstated from the injured list to start Wednesday's series finale against the visiting Boston Red Sox. After throwing three simulated innings in a bullpen session ahead of Friday's series opener against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays, Pepiot won't need a minor-league rehab assignment and is ready to rejoin Tampa Bay's injury-riddled rotation following his recovery from a lower left leg contusion. In seven starts this season, the 26-year-old upstart right-hander owns an outstanding 3.68 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 41:11 K:BB through 36 2/3 innings as the Rays' ace. However, fantasy managers might want to take a wait-and-see approach before activating Pepiot in a pretty tough spot against Boston's hard-hitting lineup.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) threw a three-inning bullpen session on Friday. He has now completed successful three successful bullpen sessions over the week. The 26-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list after getting struck by a line drive in his last start on May 5 against the New York Mets. He owns a 3.68 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts across 36 2/3 innings this season. Pepiot is on track to be activated next week ahead of the three-game series against the Boston Red Sox. Fantasy managers might want to see how Pepiot performs if he is activated next week before inserting him into their starting lineups. Pepiot is off to a solid start and is a mid-to-back-end starter for most fantasy rotations in 2024.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) could come off the injured list to rejoin the team's starting rotation on either Tuesday or Wednesday for a matchup at home against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Pepiot threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and will likely throw another one before the Rays clear him to come off the 15-day injured list early next week. The 26-year-old was put on the shelf after taking a line drive off his leg in his last outing on May 5 against the New York Mets, when he allowed three earned runs in two innings before being pulled early. Since giving up a season-high six earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in his first start of the year to the Texas Rangers, Pepiot has cleaned things up and currently sports a 3.68 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 41 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings over seven starts. He's valuable at least as a back-end starter in most fantasy formats.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) was placed on the 15-day injured list after being struck by a line drive against the Mets on May 5, but he said he felt good after throwing a bullpen session off the mound on Sunday. Pepiot threw another bullpen on Tuesday and expects to spend "minimal time" on the IL. He made the road trip to Boston and Toronto with the team, and manager Kevin Cash said Pepiot will throw another bullpen session or a simulated game on the road "to simulate some sort of up-down." If Pepiot comes out of that good, he could return to the Rays' starting rotation. The 26-year-old isn't dealing with an arm injury, so he should return from the IL when he's eligible, and he could make his next start at home against either the Boston Red Sox or Kansas City Royals. The former third-round pick of the Dodgers in 2019 out of Butler is currently 3-2 this year with a 3.68 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 41 K's in 36 2/3 innings over seven starts.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) threw a 14-pitch bullpen session on Sunday, his first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a bruised lower left leg when he was hit by a comebacker during his start against the New York Mets on May 5. Manager Kevin Cash said Pepiot felt some soreness on Sunday but remains hopeful that he will return from the 15-day injured list when he's first eligible on May 21. Because he's not dealing with any sort of arm injury, the 26-year-old already confirmed that he's not going to need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he returns to Tampa's starting rotation. Pepiot should remain stashed in an IL spot in most fantasy leagues with his return just around the corner. He had gone 3-2 with a 3.68 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 11 walks and 41 strikeouts in 36 2/3 frames over his first seven starts before landing on the shelf.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with a lower left-leg contusion after getting hit by a comebacker in Sunday's outing against the New York Mets, but he played catch on Wednesday and said multiple times he expects he'll be ready when he's eligible to return. X-rays and a CT scan showed no fracture in Pepiot's left leg, but follow-up imaging showed there was more of a bruise on his bone than anticipated, and the Rays decided to play it safe. The 26-year-old will be able to return to the team on May 21, so fantasy managers should expect him back by then. In his first seven starts (36 2/3 innings) for the Rays, Pepiot has gone 3-2 with a solid 3.68 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 41 strikeouts. Keep him stashed with a quick return expected.