Roki Sasaki madę his second rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday and had mixed results against the Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners affiliate).
The right-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and issued three walks against two strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work.
Sasaki’s fastball topped out at 97.4 mph and averaged 96 mph during the outing. He threw 60 pitches, 39 for strikes, but induced only five swings and misses.
Michael Kopech also continued his rehab assignment with OKC and worked around three baserunners to complete a scoreless fifth inning.
Through two rehab starts, Sasaki has allowed five runs (four earned) and nine hits with four walks against two strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched.
The 23-year-old is a candidate to rejoin the Dodgers when rosters expand in September, though his potential role has yet to be determined. Sasaki is being built up as a starter but could move to bullpen if the team decides to go in that direction.
“Anything is possible, but right now with Roki, it’s build him up as a starter,” manager Dave Roberts said. “You look at the rotation right now, we don’t have much more depth. So if something does happen, you’ve got to be able to backfill.
“Obviously, we put (Justin) Wrobleski in the ‘pen, and he’s been a little more shortened up recently, so you’ve got to have somebody to backfill the length.”
Kiké Hernández begins rehab assignment
Kiké Hernández began his rehab assignment on Wednesday, starting at designated hitter and batting second for OKC. He went 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.
Hernández was first placed on the 10-day injured list in the middle of July with left elbow inflammation. The initial projection was he would return shortly after the All-Star break, but things didn’t progress well.
Hernández then underwent nonsurgical procedures, which have since sped up his progress and allowed him to begin hitting.
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