LOS ANGELES — Roki Sasaki on Tuesday night had the best of his five rehab starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, showing glimpses of the pitcher that MLB teams were salivating over last winter when he was posted from Japan.
Sasaki struck out eight in 4 2/3 innings on Tuesday against Sacramento. He didn’t allow a run until the fifth inning, when three scored after two walks, a hit batter, a single, and double. But his stuff was there, and his fastball was effective for the first time in months.
He averaged
98.3 mph on the pitch, topped out 100.6 mph, and threw it for strikes which induced five swinging strikes, something that has been missing on the pitch.
“It was great for the Dodgers, great for Roki’s confidence, and great for the organization. But mostly it was great for Roki,” manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. “Just for him to let it eat, let it fly, have some success, and know that he can be the guy that he’s known to be.”
Sasaki has been on the injured list since early May with a right shoulder impingement, and his time away has been about both making sure his shoulder was healthy and making the necessary tweaks in his repertoire to be effective in the majors after posing a 4.72 ERA, 6.36 xERA, and 15.6-percent strikeout rate in his first eight major league starts.
Tuesday’s outing at least showed proof of concept for Sasaki, with the door not yet slammed shut on him possibly contributing more to the Dodgers in 2025. He flew to Los Angeles on Wednesday, and the plan is for Sasaki to meet with Dodgers brass to determine next steps.
Pitchers are allotted up to 30 days while on a minor league rehab assignments, and Sasaki began his on August 14. His 30 days are up after Friday, which means he’ll need to be activated off the 60-day injured list, barring a setback that could prolong the IL stint.
Roberts said that for Sasaki to be able to contribute again this year, he’ll need to show success in the majors. But the question remains what role that will be.
The Dodgers already have six healthy starting pitchers in their rotation, which has performed well for well over a month now. There’s no room for Sasaki, who has only started in his professional career — 69 starts for Chiba Lotte in Japan, eight starts with the Dodgers, five with Oklahoma City.
Part of the conversation this week will involve whether to use Sasaki in the bullpen.
“Just to be honest with Roki and kind of where he’s at, what’s best for him, and what’s best for us,” Roberts said. “That question is going to be asked, because you can argue both, whether it’s getting ready for something to happen here in a starting role, or changing a role. I think it just all should be on the table.”
