Roki Sasaki’s return is getting closer.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ right-handed pitcher is getting ready to go on a rehab assignment.
Manager Dave Roberts announced Saturday that Sasaki will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday at Triple-A Oklahoma City. It’s not yet clear how many rehab starts he’ll need.
Sasaki threw a three-inning simulated game before the Dodgers played on Friday, tossing 46 pitches and touching 97 miles per hour with his fastball.
The Japanese righty has been out since mid-May with a right-shoulder impingement.
This is what Roberts told reporters after the sim game:
“He’s more physical, I know he’s gained some weight. The throw wasn’t as shoulder-y, I think it’s a little bit more clean. He was still kind of searching, as far as asking the pitching coaches and things, and that’s what people do. We’re waiting for him to get to a point where he feels really comfortable and confident in his delivery and where he’s at, so he can attack the hitters. We’re not there yet, but I thought for a three-inning situation, solid.”
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Before going out, Sasaki had thrown 34.1 innings this season. He had a 4.72 ERA, a 1.49 WHIP, 24 strikeouts and 22 walks.
He hadn’t lived up to the expectations in those first eight starts, and now he’ll be returning to the mound during a pennant race.
Sasaki was averaging 96 miles per hour on his fastball in that first stint, down from the often-100 he threw at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
His velocity had already been down in Japan last year.
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Sasaki has worked on a two-seam fastball during his rehab, so it’ll be interesting to see how much he uses that, too.
First order of business for Dodgers fans is getting Sasaki back on a big league mound. Then it’s figuring out the effectiveness from there.
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