Dodgers News: Sasaki Progressing Toward August Return

ATLANTA, GA—Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese right-hander from the Nippon Professional Baseball League, who was the most sought-after free agent this past winter, has had a challenging rookie year.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, the team that won the “bidding” for Sasaki, have only seen a tiny glimpse of the star who turned heads in Japan and during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

After posting a 4.72 ERA and a below-league-average ERA+ of 86 across 34.1 innings this season, the right-hander landed on the 15-day injured list in May after experiencing a dip in velocity that was attributed to his shoulder.

After his placement on the injured list, the Dodgers shut down Sasaki from throwing until he was considered “pain-free.” Still, shortly after, Sasaki was transferred to the 60-day injured list, casting a dark cloud over his future contributions this season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts later confirmed those fears in June, when the skipper admitted that the team may have to plan for a 2025 season without the return of Roki Sasaki.

Fast-forward a few weeks, and the Dodgers’ brass are singing a much different tune regarding Sasaki, as after the righty received a cortisone injection, he has resumed throwing and is finally pain-free.

“Roki has been trending. Roki is pain-free. Flat ground, the velocity, the effort, intensity, all that stuff has really ticked up,” Roberts said in an interview in June. “So it’s been good. Physically, he looks good. I’m not sure when he’s going to get on the mound, but pretty optimistic.”

However, as we enter the All-Star break, Roberts confirmed that Sasaki has not only continued his throwing program but has now taken another significant step in his potential return, throwing off a mound for the first time since his injury.

“He threw one (bullpen session) two days ago, and touched 90, which was great,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “So it’s coming. The bullpens, the lives (live batting practice), then to get out on assignment.”

Roberts also hinted at a possible late-August return for Sasaki, which would give him a handful of starts before October begins, making the plans for the righty for the postseason unclear.

If Sasaki Returns, What is the Plan?

If Sasaki continues to progress well, faces live hitters, and then begins a minor league rehab assignment, returning by late August, that would give the right-hander just a few starts before the end of the regular season.

It is hard to imagine Sasaki being polished enough to make an impact in October after struggling to start his career during the first two months of the season.

Sasaki has also never worked out of the bullpen in his career, so if he does return this season, it could likely be as a taxi squad member in October, similar to Tony Gonsolin’s role last year.

As the season progresses, the Dodgers ’ starting rotation should resemble what the plan was initially over the winter. Clayton Kershaw is thriving in his 18th season. Tyler Glasnow and Emmet Sheehan have returned from the injured list. Ohtani is getting stretched out into games and just competed three full innings for the first time this season. Blake Snell has begun his rehab assignment and could rejoin the team shortly after the break.

So, if all goes well, the Dodgers may not even have a spot for Sasaki to contribute.

The last resort is that the team could let Sasaki finish out the season in the minors and have him ready for the 2026 season.

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