Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki has taken a vital step in his recovery by beginning a Triple-A rehab assignment with the Oklahoma City Dodgers. This move, confirmed by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Saturday, marks a key phase as Sasaki works to return from a right shoulder impingement. His rehab debut is set for Thursday against the Albuquerque Isotopes, the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, as part of his effort to regain form and contribute to the Dodgers’ rotation.
Targeting a Three-Inning Outing to Build Endurance
The Dodgers are aiming for Sasaki to pitch three innings in his first outing, a benchmark indicating progress in his rehabilitation. Sasaki, 23, has been sidelined since early May following a difficult start versus the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he allowed five runs on five hits over four innings. A few days after that performance, he was placed on the injured list due to arm soreness, delaying his chance to establish a consistent presence in the Dodgers’ pitching staff.
Encouraging Progress in Simulated Appearances
Recent reports show Sasaki has made steady gains, including displaying strong velocity and command during a bullpen session and a simulated game at Dodger Stadium last Friday. He threw 45 pitches, consistently reaching fastball speeds of 96-97 mph. How Sasaki handles this workload is critical for determining the next steps in his rehab. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stressed the importance of Sasaki feeling confident in his delivery before returning to regular competition, stating he is
“waiting for him to get to a point where he feels really comfortable and confident,”
—Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager.
Examining Sasaki’s Mechanics and Early Major League Performance
After beginning his throwing rehab around two weeks post-injury, Sasaki initially limited his activity to soft tosses before advancing to more intensive pitching. Earlier in the week, he shared relief at being pain-free and is focusing on refining his pitching mechanics during this period. Despite the high hopes placed on him after joining the Dodgers from Japan, Sasaki’s MLB debut season has been challenging, with a 4.72 ERA over eight starts. In 34.1 innings, he recorded 24 strikeouts but also issued 22 walks, highlighting areas for improvement as he works back to full strength.
Dodgers Face Rotation Obstacles Amid Several Injuries
Sasaki’s absence has compounded the Dodgers’ pitching difficulties, as the team has dealt with injuries to key starters such as Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, and Tony Gonsolin. These setbacks have contributed to the Dodgers ranking 18th in the league with a 4.10 ERA and placing 25th in quality starts with just 33 so far this season. When Sasaki completes his rehab, he is expected to return to his starting role, offering the Dodgers a much-needed boost as they seek to stabilize their pitching staff.