The Los Angeles Dodgers have been without Roki Sasaki for most of the season due to a right shoulder impingement that forced him onto the 15-day injured list on May 13.
Sasaki began a throwing program roughly two weeks later, but ended up being shut down in the middle of June due to continued shoulder troubles.
With that, the Dodgers transferred Sasaki to the 60-day injured list a few days later and admitted they were unsure if he would return during the 2025 season.
But since then, things have progressed and Sasaki has been able to resume playing catch and pick up the intensity. That has now included throwing a bullpen session last week, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“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.”
Sasaki began throwing again around the end of June, and in early July, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the right-hander was pain-free and trending up.
That was a significant step in his recovery considering Sasaki had not been able to throw with any intensity and did not come out of his previous sessions well.
The progress came after Sasaki received a cortisone shot in the middle of June and continued to wait for the pain to subside.
Sasaki is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list already, but the Dodgers will remain cautious with his rehab and not rush him back.
Sasaki went 1-1 with a 4.72 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in eight starts before going on the IL.
Where does Roki Sasaki fit into Dodgers plans?
Considering Sasaki will not have time to fully build up and his struggles from before the injury, it would be somewhat shocking if the Dodgers have plans for Sasaki in their postseason outlook.
It’s unlikely they’d ask him to fill a bullpen role because that is something he hasn’t done, and he’s going to be limited in his return.
If Sasaki comes back, it could be expected he would make some regular season starts and then stay on the Dodgers’ taxi squad in October.
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