Dodgers News: Sasaki Will Get Opportunity in Bullpen During Final Road Trip

LOS ANGELES, CA—As the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen struggles continue, during the final week of the regular season, they’ll add one arm to audition for a role: right-hander Roki Sasaki

It has been a tough season for the 23-year-old Japanese righty, who is not only adjusting from life in Japan to baseball in the States, but has dealt with an ailing shoulder, which has sidelined him since May.

Now, after months of rehab and seven appearances with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, two of which came from the bullpen, it appears that Sasaki will get one final shot to earn a spot in the Dodger bullpen for the postseason.

Despite Sasaki continuing to get built up as a starter, that changed last week when the right-hander made his first relief appearance in his career, tossing a scoreless inning while collecting two punchouts and showcasing his high velocity, which averaged 98.6 MPH.

Sasaki made his second appearance out of the Comets ‘pen, tossing yet another 1-2-3 inning on just nine pitches, and added another strikeout to boot.

The following steps for Sasaki remain clear: he’ll rejoin the Dodgers in Arizona, and could make his first major league appearance in the bullpen as early as Wednesday, but before that, he’ll again have a conversation with the organization about the plan.

“Roki was really good. The stuff was good. So he’ll fly to Arizona to come meet us there. He won’t be available to pitch until Wednesday, but he’s done what he needs to do to get an opportunity. We still have to get him on our roster.”

With the season set to end next Sunday in Seattle, that’ll give Sasaki likely two chances to prove his worth in the Dodgers bullpen. Still, if he can replicate his performance over the last two weeks in Triple-A, it would be a massive addition to the Dodgers’ bullpen, which is seeking an impact arm from the right-handed side.

Also set to join Sasaki this week in Arizona is right-hander Brock Stewart, who appeared in his third rehab game, tossing his own scoreless inning.

In three appearances for the Comets, Stewart did not allow an earned run in 2.2 innings while punching out three batters.

Another arm that could be an option is right-hander Kyle Hurt, who, like Sasaki and Stewart, tossed his own scoreless frame today with the Comets and has a 1.93 ERA in seven minor league appearances.

With the struggles of veteran righties Kirby Yates and Blake Treinen over the weekend, the Dodgers may face a difficult decision about including two or three of these minor league right-handers in their bullpen for October.

Sasaki is currently on the 60-day injured list, but the Dodgers cleared a 40-man roster spot earlier today after waiving minor league catcher Chuckie Robinson, who the Atlanta Braves claimed.

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