After a much-publicized and competitive courting process as an international free agent, Roki Sasaki has endured a fair share of trails and tribulations in his rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He entered the season as MLB Pipeline’s No.1 prospect, but has not pitched like it so far this season. Matters were made worse by a right shoulder impingement that has kept Sasaki on the injured list since April 16.
He began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City last month and was nearing the end of the permitted 30-day period. That led to questions over what role Sasaki would fill if returning to the Dodgers.
After meeting with the right-hander late last week, manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers believe Sasaki is open to pitching out of the bullpen, according to Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic:
Roberts also said his impression is that Roki Sasaki would be open to pitching in relief, if that’s what the team requires.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 13, 2025
Sasaki has only made eight starts for the Dodgers because of his shoulder injury, yielding a 4.72 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and averaging 5.77 walks per nine innings. His struggles have largely continued while on rehab assignment.
In five starts with the Comets, Sasaki has posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.71 WHIP with 16 strikeouts against 12 walks in 18.2 innings pitched. He did have his best start of the five his last time out, with eight strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work. Sasaki’s fastball velocity also was much improved in that outing.
The Dodgers chose to have Sasaki build up as a starter during his rehab assignment, but have been considering a bullpen role since the beginning of that process.
Roki Sasaki’s calf injury
Sasaki’s potential comeback did hit a snag, with a minor calf issue extending his rehab assignment for at least another start and giving the Dodgers an extension on the 30-day deadline. Granted, the Minor League season will conclude before all of those days are exhausted.
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