After seeing the returns of Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell in recent weeks, the Los Angeles Dodgers could soon be getting back Roki Sasaki as well.
The right-hander has been sidelined since the middle of May due to a right shoulder impingement but continues to make substantial progress and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday.
Given the Dodgers’ current surplus of starting pitching, it is unlikely that Sasaki will have a traditional role in the rotation when he returns.
“Sitting here right now, he’s going to do a three-inning situation this weekend and then go out and build up,” manager Dave Roberts said of Sasaki. “Obviously he’s a starter. We see him as that.
“Just don’t know what’s going to happen with starting pitching, so right now it’s just continuing to build him up, see how it looks and if there’s a different conversation that needs to be had later. But right now, we see him as a starter.”
Sasaki could potentially make spot starts or move to the bullpen for the postseason, but Roberts isn’t ready to commit to anything just yet.
“I’m going to hold on that one. I do know we’re going to take the 13-best pitchers,” Roberts answered when asked if Sasaki could have a relief role in the playoffs.
“I’ve been a part of many postseason rosters, and we’re going to take the 13-best pitchers. If Roki is part of that in some capacity, then that will be great. And if he’s not, then he won’t be.”
Sasaki went 1-1 with a 4.72 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across eight starts before going on the injured list. There were flashes of his tantalizing potential that had several teams courting the right-hander, but Sasaki’s fastball velocity also remained lower than his career in Japan.
Roki Sasaki open to any role
Sasaki is willing to take on any role with the Dodgers if it helps them reach their goal of winning the World Series.
“Regardless of my role, I’m just making sure I can compete and get Major League hitters out,” he said through interpreter Will Ireton. “It’s really not up to me to determine what my role is. My job is to make sure I get big league hitters out.”
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