Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Tosses scoreless inning in return
Rotowire
Sasaki allowed two hits and struck out two batters over one scoreless relief inning against San Diego on Tuesday.
Sasaki logged his first game action since landing on the IL due to a finger blister in late August. The right-hander entered in the fourth inning and worked around a pair of two-out singles to work a scoreless frame. Sasaki twice hit triple-digits with his fastball and seemed to have no lingering issues from the blister. The outing was his first out of the bullpen this season, and that could be his role in the playoffs as well, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. While Sasaki has had a mostly promising second MLB campaign, Los Angeles' postseason rotation may not have room for him if Blake Snell (groin) is ready to go, and Sasaki has already demonstrated he can be successful as a late-inning reliever based on his performance during the team's championship run last year.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Back from IL
Rotowire
Sasaki (finger) was activated from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Sasaki has made a full recovery after being shelved with a blister on his right middle finger in late August. After working out of the rotation in his first 23 appearances of the season, he's expected to pitch out of the bullpen going forward and is likely to make an appearance in Tuesday's series opener versus the Padres.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Expected to be activated Tuesday
Rotowire
Sasaki (finger) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list to pitch in Tuesday's contest against San Diego, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Sasaki has been shelved since developing a blister on his right middle finger Aug. 26 against Atlanta. Manager Dave Roberts noted that the right-hander will pitch in some capacity as a part of a bullpen game in the series opener versus the Padres, but Sasaki won't be the "bulk" pitcher.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Returning next series
Rotowire
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Sasaki (finger) will return during next week's series against the Padres, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Sasaki made it through an extended side session Wednesday (48 pitches) and is now ready to return, though the team is still undecided on whether he will start or pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen against San Diego. While the 24-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance, he has a 4.60 ERA and 1.7 HR/9 this season. A bullpen role in the postseason seems likely for a Dodgers club chasing its third straight championship.
Sasaki (finger) tossed 48 pitches during his live bullpen session Wednesday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.
Sasaki's live session Wednesday came in lieu of a start that he originally lined up to make against the Reds on Thursday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Sasaki's session went well, and the team will now decide whether the right-hander returns as a starter or reliever for the rest of the regular season. Sasaki figures to operate out of the bullpen during the playoffs, though he would be an option for the rotation if a spot opens up due to injury.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Not starting Thursday
Rotowire
Manager Dave Roberts revealed that Sasaki (finger) will throw a simulated game Wednesday and not make a start later in the week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
The Dodgers are still undecided on whether Sasaki will make a start before the regular season concludes or if he will return as a reliever. The right-hander threw a bullpen session Monday and was under consideration to return Thursday versus the Reds. The 24-year-old got two relief appearances at the end of the 2025 regular season before being used out of the bullpen in the postseason.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Status for Thursday still TBD
Rotowire
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Sasaki (finger) threw a bullpen session Monday and is under consideration to return from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's game in Cincinnati, Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Sasaki wore Dermabond on his right middle finger to protect against a recurrence of the blister that sent him to the IL on Aug. 27. While Sasaki seemed to come out of his bullpen session OK, Roberts wasn't ready to lock him into Thursday's start yet. Sasaki threw a simulated game last week but would likely have workload restrictions if he's cleared to start Thursday.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Now eyeing Thursday return?
Rotowire
Sasaki (finger) could come off the injured list as early as Thursday against the Reds, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
It was previously believed Sasaki could return Sunday in Miami, but that's not in the Dodgers' plans. The right-hander hasn't pitched since August 26 due to a blister on his right middle finger. Sasaki has made 23 starts this season, posting a 4.60 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 117:48 K:BB across 119.1 innings. In seven starts since the All-Star break, Sasaki has a 3.05 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 38.1 frames.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Throws simulated game Wednesday
Rotowire
Sasaki (finger) tossed a multi-inning simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Sasaki continues to progress in his throwing program while recovering from a blister on his right middle finger that caused him to land on the 15-day injured list Aug. 27. The 24-year-old right-hander may not need to go on a rehab assignment before rejoining the team, and he could be back in the rotation by the end of the Dodgers' upcoming road trip, per Ardaya.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Completes side session Friday
Rotowire
Sasaki (finger) indicated that he felt good following a bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.
The Dodgers placed Sasaki on the injured list Aug. 27, one day after he developed a blister on his right middle finger during a start in Atlanta. He'll be eligible for activation Sept. 11, and Sasaki looks like he could be on pace to return that day. Sasaki will still likely need to complete at least one throwing session against live hitters before the Dodgers reinstate him.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Bound for injured list
Rotowire
Manager Dave Roberts said after Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Atlanta that Sasaki will be placed on the injured list after sustaining a blister on his right middle finger, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.
Sasaki exited in the fourth inning of his start after developing the blister, and the team has already determined that the issue is severe enough to warrant a trip to the IL. The right-hander took a no-decision Wednesday, striking out three while allowing four earned runs on six hits and two walks across 3.1 innings. Rather than moving forward with a five-man rotation, the Dodgers will shift Eric Lauer back into the rotation to fill in as the team's sixth starter until Sasaki returns, per Harris.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Takes no-decision in Colorado
Rotowire
Sasaki allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Wednesday.
Sasaki didn't give up any homers, but four of the hits he allowed were doubles, one of which plated two runs in the fourth inning. The Japanese righty has a 34:13 K:BB over his last 35 innings and has allowed just 10 runs (nine earned) in that span. The walk rate (3.6 BB/9) remains a concern, but Sasaki has found some success with limiting damage lately. He's at a 4.42 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 114:46 K:BB through 116 innings over 22 starts on the year. The right-hander's next outing is projected to be at Atlanta.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Continues turnaround
Rotowire
Sasaki (5-5) earned the win over Seattle on Thursday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out seven batters over 5.1 innings.
Sasaki looked dominant for most of the outing, as he racked up 18 whiffs and kept the Mariners out of the scoring column through five frames. However, the right-hander ran out of steam in the sixth, when he allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while retiring just one batter. Fortunately for Sasaki and the Dodgers, Jack Dreyer came on in relief and closed the inning without allowing any additional damage. That kept Sasaki in line for the win, which was his second straight victory following an eight-outing winless stretch. It's been an up-and-down campaign for the Japanese hurler, but he's closed July on a high note, posting a 2.25 ERA with a 26:7 K:BB over 24 innings spanning his past four starts. He's lined up to make his next appearance on the road against the Cubs.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Strikes out nine in win
Rotowire
Sasaki (4-5) earned the win against the Mets on Friday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks with nine strikeouts over seven innings.
Sasaki allowed a homer in the second inning but was otherwise dominant, generating a whopping 21 swinging strikes on 94 pitches. While it marked the 24-year-old's first win since May 23, he's now delivered two quality starts while yielding just four earned runs over his past three outings. He owns a 4.71 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 94:36 K:BB across 93.2 innings and will aim to keep it rolling in a home matchup with the Mariners.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Sharp in no-decision Friday
Rotowire
Sasaki didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 2-1 win over the Yankees, allowing one unearned run on five hits and one walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.
The right-hander was lifted just short of his fifth quality start of the season after 94 pitches (58 strikes) with the Dodgers down 1-0, but a seventh-inning rally took Sasaki off the hook for the loss. It was an encouraging performance after he'd given up at least three earned runs in his last five starts before the All-Star break, a stretch in which he stumbled to an 8.61 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 20:12 K:BB over 23 innings while serving up nine homers. Sasaki will look to build on this effort in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend against the Mets.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Bounces back with quality start
Rotowire
Sasaki allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings in a no-decision versus the Rockies on Wednesday.
Sasaki allowed home runs to Kyle Karros and Edouard Julien in the second inning but was otherwise effective in a baseline quality start. Entering Wednesday, Sasaki had allowed 19 runs over 17 innings across his previous four starts, so this was a significant step in the right direction. The right-hander has pitched to a 5.33 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 80:33 K:BB through 81 innings over 16 starts this season. Homers have been a noticeable issue -- he's allowed 19 so far.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Lacks control in loss
Rotowire
Sasaki (3-5) allowed three runs on three hits, five walks and a hit batsman while striking out two over four-plus innings to take the loss versus the Padres on Friday.
The five walks matched his season high. Sasaki has regressed heavily in recent starts, giving up 13 runs over his last 14 innings, including four home runs. The right-hander is now at a 4.88 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 72:30 K:BB over 72 innings through 14 starts. Sasaki's strikeout upside is a plus, as is a lineup that can often give him enough run support to cover up mistakes. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to be a rematch at home versus the Padres next week.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Yields two homers Friday
Rotowire
Sasaki allowed three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six over 5.2 innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Orioles.
Sasaki improved compared to his last outing, a seven-run meltdown versus the White Sox. It wasn't enough to earn the win, as the Dodgers needed a comeback in the ninth inning to steal this victory. Sasaki has done a decent job of run prevention lately, allowing no more than three runs in seven of his last eight outings. He's at a 4.76 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 70:25 K:BB through 68 innings over 13 starts this season. Sasaki's next outing is projected to be on the road in San Diego.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Gives up seven runs, takes loss
Rotowire
Sasaki (3-4) was tagged with the loss Friday against the White Sox, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks across 4.1 innings. He struck out four.
Sasaki was coming off one of the most dominant outings of his career, striking out 10 across seven shutout innings in a no-decision against the Angels on June 5. However, he couldn't keep it rolling against one of the hottest offenses in the AL. Sasaki seemed to be finding his groove, as he had gone four straight starts allowing two or fewer earned runs before Friday. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which is lined up to come at home against the Rays.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Strikes out 10 in no-decision
Rotowire
Sasaki allowed two hits and two walks while striking out 10 over seven shutout innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Angels.
Sasaki had his best start of the season, but a rare quiet showing from the Dodgers' bats kept him from earning the win. He's been on a roll lately, allowing just five runs (four earned) with a 29:5 K:BB over 24.1 innings across his last four starts. Overall, Sasaki is at a 4.03 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 60:21 K:BB through 58 innings over 11 starts. His next start is projected to be on the road versus the White Sox.
