Dodgers designate Tepesch, recall Taylor

PITTSBURGH -- Minor Leaguer Carlos Frias and bullpen arms are among the dwindling options to pitch for the Dodgers Wednesday in Milwaukee after the club designated for assignment starting pitcher Nick Tepesch and recalled versatile infielder Chris Taylor from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.
The club also outrighted outfielder Will Venable to Oklahoma City.
"Carlos is a guy that is very resilient," manager Dave Roberts said. "He can be used as a starter, in long relief, and for me his last couple starts he's performed well. There's something to that. Having a [4.55 ERA] in Triple-A is not where we want to be, but his stuff plays. He touched 97 [mph] last night. Carlos is an option as well."
Frias allowed no earned runs in 5 1/3 innings for Oklahoma City on Friday night, bringing his combined ERA for 2016 down to 3.93 in eight games, including 4.55 in six games at Triple-A. In his last three games, he has allowed four earned runs in 16 2/3 innings.
Injuries and rehabs have left the Dodgers without starting pitchers Hyun-Jin Ryu, Brandon McCarthy, Brett Anderson, Alex Wood and Frankie Montas. Ross Stripling has been throttled back to conserve innings after Tommy John surgery, Mike Bolsinger couldn't keep the job and Zach Lee was traded to Seattle for Taylor.
Roberts said the rotation uncertainty might result in 19-year-old Julio Urias getting another start after the one scheduled for Tuesday. Management planned for that to be his last start before getting a break like Stripling, but the acute lack of a fifth starter has made Urias' innings vital.
Tepesch, given a shot at being the fifth starter, allowed five runs in four innings in Friday night's 8-6 loss to the Pirates.
Taylor, acquired by the Dodgers on June 19, was batting .500 (6-for-12) with three runs scored, three doubles and three RBIs in his short stay with Triple-A Oklahoma City. While with Seattle, Taylor worked extensively with Chris Woodward, then a Mariners coach and now the Dodgers' third-base coach.
Taylor's presence could signal management's impatience with Kiké Hernandez, who has struggled offensively all season. Hernandez, who hit .307 last year, was batting .195 entering Saturday's game. He has been the primary backup to starting shortstop Corey Seager. Shortstop also is Taylor's natural position. Roberts said Taylor would start on Monday, but wasn't sure at which position.
The 25-year-old Taylor hit .312 with 41 runs, 19 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 29 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 63 games with Triple-A Tacoma, including a .414 mark with runners in scoring position, prior to being traded to Los Angeles.
Taylor played in two games with the Mariners this year, going 1-for-3, and appeared in 86 big league games in three seasons with the Mariners from '14-16, batting .240 with 11 doubles, a triple and 10 RBIs. In the Majors, Taylor appeared in 76 games (66 starts) at shortstop, four games (two starts) at second base and one game at third base.
Taylor was drafted by Seattle in the fifth round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of the University of Virginia.