The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Roki Sasaki off the 15-day injured list and optioned Emmet Sheehan back to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Sheehan was returned to the Minors after pitching 5.1 innings in the series finale against the San Francisco Giants. He allowed just one hit and finished with nine strikeouts to help the Dodgers navigate a bullpen game. Sheehan is expected to pitch for the Comets in their playoff game on Saturday.
Sheehan had been recalled that morning as the corresponding move to Tarik Skubal going on the bereavement list. Skubal is not yet back on the roster as MLB rules allow for a player on bereavement leave to miss a maximum of seven days. The minimum time away from the team is three days.
Roki Sasaki back, but in new role
Sasaki returns after spending just over three weeks on the injured list due to a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. The injury was considered minor but the Dodgers were cognizant of not rushing a recovery in order to avoid a potential setback that in turn would’ve put the rest of the season and playoffs in jeopardy.
Sasaki wore a protective covering and continued to play catch while on the IL, then advanced to throwing live batting practice multiple times with Dermabond on the blister. That seemingly was the final hurdle and gave the Dodgers confidence he could pitch in a game without issue due to MLB permitting the use of Dermabond adhesive.
Sasaki’s return comes with just six games remaining on the Dodgers’ schedule. Included in that is a bullpen game in the series opener against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night. Sasaki is among the relief pitchers who could factor into the night as he now is taking on a bullpen role.
The Dodgers weighed their options with Sasaki over recent weeks, and it appeared he would first make a start upon returning before shifting to the bullpen because of Blake Snell’s trouble with left groin tightness. However, Snell has recovered well since leaving his start early last week and should pitch against the San Francisco Giants.
“I can see multiples, but it’s not going to be bulk as in four or five innings. It won’t be that,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of how Sasaki will be utilized as a reliever.
Roberts also did not rule out the possibility of Sasaki pitching in save situations, noting the young right-hander has experience and success doing so.
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