Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers’ rookie right-handed pitcher, has ceased throwing as he experiences discomfort in his right shoulder when attempting full-intensity throws, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed in a press update this afternoon. Sasaki, sidelined with a right shoulder impingement for just over a month, remains without a clear timeline for his return, raising concerns about his availability for the 2024 season and beyond.
Current Status of Sasaki’s Rehabilitation and Dodgers’ Outlook
The Dodgers’ staff has not set a timetable for Sasaki’s resumption of pitching activity. According to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, no specific date has been established for him to return to throwing. Further, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic interpreted Roberts’ comments as signaling an uncertain outlook for Sasaki’s 2024 comeback. Prior to this recent announcement, Sasaki had only progressed to light catchwork, with no advancement toward exerting maximum effort.
Pitching coach Mark Prior noted that while Sasaki was reportedly free of pain during his limited throwing sessions, the young pitcher had not yet been able to ramp up the velocity or intensity of his pitches. Prior emphasized that Sasaki must be
confident in his ability to throw the baseball
before advancing his rehabilitation, highlighting the cautious approach the Dodgers are taking given the sensitivity of his injury. Manager Roberts reiterated that he defers to Sasaki for specificity on his condition.
As far as kind of the sensation,
Roberts said, as reported by Benjamin Royer of the Los Angeles Times,
It’s discomfort. I don’t think it’s pain, it’s tightness… whatever the adjective you want to use — I would rather him kind of say that.
Implications of the Indefinite Throwing Halt
The decision to stop throwing indefinitely suggests that Sasaki’s shoulder is not progressing as the Dodgers had hoped, although no additional diagnostic tests are planned, indicating some confidence in their current understanding of the injury. Despite this, the lack of clear progress makes it uncertain whether Sasaki will return to the major league mound this year. This development represents a setback for the Dodgers, as they must now continue without one of their most promising young starters for an extended period.
Review of Sasaki’s Rookie Season Performance
If Sasaki does not pitch again in 2024, his debut season will likely be viewed as disappointing, especially considering the high expectations surrounding him. In his eight starts, Sasaki posted a 4.72 ERA over 34 1/3 innings, an ERA+ of 84 that reflects below-average results. His command issues were noticeable, walking 22 batters while striking out 24, and he struggled with consistency—recording only two sixth-inning outs and failing to retire a batter in the fifth inning on four occasions. These struggles, combined with limited innings, series of poor outings, and difficulties controlling hitters, tempered initial excitement given his exceptional talent and reputation.
Sasaki’s Underlying Talent and Professional Background
Despite his tough start, Sasaki’s potential remains unquestioned. Evaluating his limited data is difficult, as eight starts provide a minimal sample size, but his credentials are remarkable. He boasts some of the most electric pitching in baseball, highlighted by his success in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league where he earned a 2.10 ERA and a 32.7% strikeout rate across four seasons. His 2023 breakout was especially impressive, as he posted a 1.78 ERA over 91 innings and struck out nearly 40% of batters faced, numbers that are exceptional in the contact-heavy NPB environment. These statistics underscore why Sasaki is regarded as a future ace and a rare pitching talent.
Dodgers’ Investment and Future Expectations for Sasaki
The Dodgers demonstrated their commitment to Sasaki by spending nearly their entire international bonus pool to secure his signing, prevailing over competitive bids from teams like the Padres and Blue Jays. Though his transition has been hindered by injury thus far, Sasaki is only 23 years old and still has ample opportunity to realize his potential. Recovery and health will be critical to his journey back to top form. For now, he remains sidelined alongside other key Dodgers pitchers including Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Evan Phillips, and Brusdar Graterol.
While Sasaki’s availability remains uncertain, the Dodgers are currently leaning on a rotation featuring veterans Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, Ben Casparius, and soon-to-be-activated Emmet Sheehan amid the broader injury challenges facing the team early in the season.
Looking Ahead: What Sasaki’s Future Holds for the Dodgers
The uncertain status of Roki Sasaki’s rehabilitation highlights the challenges the Dodgers face in bolstering their starting rotation. His shoulder injury and the decision to halt throwing indefinitely inject an element of anxiety into the team’s pitching plans. The potential loss or delay of Sasaki’s return constrains the Dodgers’ depth and ability to compete at the highest level in the near term. Recovery outcomes over the coming months will be crucial in determining whether Sasaki can overcome this setback and fulfill the promise that made him one of baseball’s most exciting young arms.