After months sidelined by a right shoulder impingement, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki is taking important steps toward resuming his rookie MLB season. The 23-year-old Japanese right-hander is set to begin a rehab assignment this Thursday in Triple-A Oklahoma City, with the aim of throwing three innings in his first outing back.
Sasaki has not pitched since May 13, and his time on the injured list has been carefully managed by the Dodgers, who possess ample pitching depth and can afford to be patient. He recently threw three simulated innings on Friday, delivering 45 pitches with his fastball velocity settling in the 96-97 mph range—an encouraging sign of regained strength and progress.
“I’m just really relieved that I’m pain-free,” Sasaki said through interpreter Will Ireton. “So I’m really taking this time to focus in on the delivery, and that’s something that I’m really excited to do.”
Roki Sasaki Nears Return as Dodgers Prioritize Careful Ramp-Up
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized the importance of gradually rebuilding Sasaki’s endurance and confidence after such a significant layoff. “As a starting pitcher, you’ve got to build up,” Roberts said. “We want Roki to gain some confidence, some real confidence in taking down 22 hitters, 24 hitters, commanding the baseball.”
Roberts acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for a full return but stressed the need to get Sasaki pitching competitively again before fully assessing his readiness. “I really don’t know what that looks like. But what I do know is that we’ve got to get him back to pitching in games and competing, and then I think that in the coming weeks we’ll know more from there.”
Sasaki’s rookie campaign showed flashes of the immense talent that earned him acclaim in Japan, where he posted a stellar 2.10 ERA over four seasons with the Nippon Professional Baseball league. However, his initial MLB outings revealed challenges adjusting to the major leagues, including diminished velocity—his fastball has averaged 96 mph, down from triple-digit heat he displayed in Japan and international competition—and command issues, reflected in a nearly one-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Those struggles manifested in a 4.72 ERA across 34.1 innings in eight starts before the injury. Still, Sasaki’s signature splitter remained effective, and he has incorporated a new pitch—a two-seam fastball—into his arsenal during rehab, adding variety to his previous repertoire of four-seamer, slider, and splitter.
Roberts highlighted the benefits of this development: “I think it’s probably a combination of the pitching coaches, probably watching Shohei [Ohtani], probably watching Major League hitters. To have two separate fastballs, one that potentially could miss a bit and one that could put a ball on the ground, those are two good weapons. I appreciate that Roki is open to the two-seamer as well.”
Physical changes have accompanied Sasaki’s mechanical adjustments. He has gained weight and improved his physicality, which Roberts believes will contribute positively to his delivery and endurance.
Outfielder Alex Call, who faced Sasaki during a recent simulated game, noted the difference: “I think I only saw one [two-seamer], and it was up and in so it was hard for me to tell. But I could definitely tell there was a bit of a difference, so hopefully that’ll be good for him.”
The Dodgers’ rotation is gradually regaining its health, with Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Emmet Sheehan recently returning from injury, bolstering depth and allowing the team to be cautious with Sasaki’s recovery. Alongside stars like Shohei Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, this depth gives Roberts flexibility in managing workloads.
This patient approach is critical, as the Dodgers seek to ensure Sasaki’s long-term success rather than rushing him back prematurely. Roberts reiterated this philosophy after the simulated game, where Sasaki threw about 45 pitches: “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.”
With a goal of building up to five innings and around 75 pitches during rehab, Sasaki could be poised for a late August or early September return to the major league mound.
While questions remain about how he will look and perform post-injury, the combination of his raw talent, refined delivery, and improved arsenal holds promise. The Dodgers and their fans will be watching closely as Sasaki takes these next crucial steps on his path back to full strength and impact in his rookie season.