The Los Angeles Dodgers currently hold a one-game lead in the NL West with just over a month remaining in the regular season. As postseason baseball approaches, the Dodgers are still working to get key arms healthy for the most important stretch of the year. One name to watch is Roki Sasaki, who has been sidelined with an injury since June.
“Sasaki landed on the injured list May 13 with right shoulder impingement and was transferred to the 60-day IL in June. He had a rough time in MLB before his injury, posting a 4.72 ERA through 34.1 innings pitched with 24 strikeouts,” SI’s Aaron Coloma wrote.
For Sasaki, the focus is on returning to form. He’s currently building himself back up with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate. As he works his way toward a potential return, he faces a significant mental hurdle.
“There’s always a mental component when you’re hurt,” pitching coach Mark Prior said. “and you’re always wondering, ‘Am I going to feel something at that moment?’ … There is a little bit of a mental barrier that they all need to get through.”
Since returning from injury, Sasaki hasn’t been particularly impressive in his rehab starts. When you add that to the struggles he experienced before the injury, it’s becoming unlikely that he’ll rejoin the big-league club before the postseason.
“The Dodgers no longer can count on rookie Roki Sasaki helping them down the stretch. His velocity is nowhere near the 102 mph he threw in Japan. He has thrown 59 fastballs through his two rehab starts, and has generated only one swing-and-miss,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote.
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This is disappointing news, as Sasaki was a major name coming out of Japan. His rookie season hasn’t gone as hoped, and now it appears he won’t get his first taste of postseason baseball. The Dodgers remain hopeful that Sasaki can work through his issues and return stronger next season.
