Roki Sasaki, the impressive young talent from the Los Angeles Dodgers, is on the mend from a shoulder impingement. After not taking the mound since May 9, he threw a bullpen session recently and is scheduled for another on Monday, according to manager Dave Roberts. Sasaki may be looking at a late August return.
Generally, the recovery involves six weeks of progression from bullpen sessions to facing hitters and participating in rehab assignments, before joining the major leagues. The Dodgers are exercising caution with the 23-year-old, potentially lengthening the timeline to 7-8 weeks, which still positions him for an August return.
Prior to his injury, Sasaki made eight starts with a variable performance, logging 34 1/3 innings, a 4.72 ERA, with 22 walks and 24 strikeouts. Though his performances have varied, his talent is unquestionable, boasting impressive pitch types like a high-speed fastball and an electric splitter.
Here is the current rotation depth for the Dodgers:
- RHP Shohei Ohtani
- RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- LHP Blake Snell (out with shoulder inflammation)
- RHP Tyler Glasnow
- RHP Roki Sasaki (out with shoulder impingement)
- LHP Clayton Kershaw
- RHP Tony Gonsolin (out with elbow discomfort)
- RHP Dustin May
- RHP Gavin Stone (missing 2025 due to shoulder surgery)
- RHP Emmet Sheehan
- LHP Justin Wrobleski
- RHP Landon Knack
- RHP Bobby Miller
- RHP Kyle Hurt (out for most of 2025 with Tommy John surgery)
- RHP River Ryan (missing 2025 with Tommy John surgery)
Despite their expensive payroll nearing $400 million, the Dodgers have cycled through 16 different starting pitchers this season, the highest among any team. Unfortunately, Ben Casparius who previously allowed six runs in three innings and often played alongside an opener, has been reassigned to the bullpen after Glasnow’s return.
The Dodgers have recently faced challenges, losing seven of their prior eight matchups, with an overall score deficit of 53-19. Nevertheless, they continue to remain atop the NL West with the league’s best record at 57-39.
