Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided an update on Roki Sasaki’s recovery from a right shoulder injury on Sunday, revealing that the pitcher has paused his throwing program with no clear timetable for returning to play. This development raises concerns about Sasaki’s availability for the 2025 season as the team adjusts to his uncertain condition.

Sasaki, who has been sidelined since April 16 after being placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder impingement, has shown signs of difficulty regaining his pitching form. Roberts explained,

“He’s just not feeling that he can kind of ramp it up, so I gather that we’re trying to hold the baseball a little bit until he feels like we can get going again,”

adding,

“I think it’s with the medical staff, with Roki’s comfort, all that, and not feeling like we’re going to push him to do something he doesn’t feel good about.”

Challenges and Considerations for Sasaki’s Road Back to the Mound

The Dodgers manager emphasized the complexity of Sasaki’s situation, noting the demanding nature of starting pitcher workload and the additional hurdle of recovering from injury. Roberts commented on the cautious approach the team is taking:

“Being thrust here into this environment, certainly, was a big undertaking for him. Now, you layer in the health part of it, and then, you layer he’s a starting pitcher, the buildup – you know what that entails. That’s the prudent way to go about it: whatever we get from him and expecting him to be back, obviously, and contributing,”

and he added,

“But I think the other mindset should be, ‘We got to plan on life without him as far as this year.’ I think that’s a fair way to think about it.”

This indicates that while there is hope for Sasaki’s eventual contribution, the team is preparing for his extended absence to avoid adding pressure to his rehab.

Background on Roki Sasaki and His Transition to the Dodgers

The 23-year-old right-hander joined the Dodgers in the offseason after spending four seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan. During his time in Japan, Sasaki earned two NPB All-Star selections and made headlines by throwing a perfect game with 19 strikeouts against the Orix Buffaloes on April 10, 2022.

Before the injury, Sasaki compiled a 1-1 record with a 4.72 ERA, a 1.49 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts across 34.1 innings in eight starts for the Dodgers. His promising start as a major league pitcher has been hampered by his current shoulder issue, which now places his short-term future with the Dodgers in doubt.

Implications for Dodgers’ Season and Sasaki’s Career Trajectory

Roki Sasaki’s injury and ongoing recovery present a significant challenge for the Dodgers’ pitching rotation heading into the 2025 season. With no definite return date and the team preparing to cope without him, his absence could impact the organization’s plans and competitiveness. The cautious approach to his rehabilitation underscores the importance of long-term health over a rushed comeback, potentially shaping Sasaki’s career trajectory and the Dodgers’ roster decisions in the months ahead.