Dodgers sign Nick Tepesch to minor league contract

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers signed right-handed pitcher Nick Tepesch to a minor league contract on Monday, and he will make an immediate impact, starting for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday night on the road against Round Rock, his old team.

The Rangers granted the 27-year-old his release from his minor league pact with them on Saturday, making him a free agent. Tepesch had a 4.11 ERA in 11 starts for Round Rock, with 31 strikeouts and 11 walks in 65⅔ innings. He averaged 6.29 innings per start in his last eight outings, including four times pitching seven innings.

Tepesch last pitched Saturday at Nashville, allowing three runs in 6⅓ innings in a no-decision.

He gives the Dodgers another major league ready arm at the Triple-A level, along with Zach Lee and Jharel Cotton, both of whom are on the 40-man, something they definitely need given that none of Alex Wood, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Brandon McCarthy or Brett Anderson are expected back until after the All-Star break.

Tepesch pitched in 42 games, including 39 starts for the Rangers in 2013-2014, putting up a 4.56 ERA with 132 strikeouts and 71 walks in 219 innings. He was drafted by the Rangers in the 14th round in 2010.

The right-hander missed all of 2015 with elbow inflammation, which led to surgery to correct Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in his right side on Aug. 19. Texas did not tender him a contract last Dec. 2, making Tepesch a free agent, but he signed a minor league deal with them on Jan. 27, 2016.