Rookie phenom Roki Sasaki made his long-awaited return to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, and his timing couldn’t have been better. Activated from the 60-day injured list after missing nearly five months with a shoulder impingement, the 23-year-old right-hander gave a glimpse of the pitcher L.A. thought it was signing last offseason.
With the Dodgers protecting a 3-1 lead against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix, Sasaki entered in the seventh inning and delivered a dominant, 13-pitch frame: two strikeouts, one groundout, and fastballs that averaged 99 mph and touched 100. Just months after his velocity hovered in the mid-90s, the radar gun confirmed he’s back.
“I just think [he needs to focus on] giving everything he has for an inning or two at a time, and let the performance play out,” manager Dave Roberts said pregame. “Just go after guys, and be on the attack.”
That’s exactly what Sasaki did.
⚡ From Struggles to Strength
Vote For Your Favorite Dodgers Duo: Ohtani – Yamamoto, Betts – Freeman, Hernandez – Hernandez
Sasaki’s rookie season had been rocky before his injury. In eight starts, he carried a 4.72 ERA and struggled with command, walking nearly as many batters as he struck out. His once-feared fastball was hit hard, with opponents slugging .494 against it.
But his move to the bullpen may have unlocked a new version of the right-hander. During his Triple-A rehab, Sasaki’s short-burst outings saw his velocity climb back to near-triple digits. Roberts noted that in relief, Sasaki “looked like a different person… a lot more confidence, a lot more conviction.”
😬 Bullpen Woes Force Dodgers’ Hand
The Dodgers’ bullpen has been the club’s glaring weakness during the stretch run. Since September began, relievers have posted an MLB-worst 5.69 ERA, with veterans Blake Treinen and Tanner Scott faltering in key situations. Even All-Star Kirby Yates, who was placed on the IL Wednesday, has struggled through a 5.23 ERA.
That instability has prompted creative solutions. Clayton Kershaw and Shohei Ohtani have volunteered to pitch in relief during the postseason, and Emmet Sheehan will soon follow. Sasaki now joins that mix, with a legitimate chance to earn a postseason roster spot.
🎯 A Potential X-Factor
It’s a small sample size, but Sasaki’s stuff on Wednesday looked playoff-ready. His fastball induced two whiffs on two swings, while his splitter darted like its old self. Most importantly, he carried himself with composure in a leverage spot.
“If we’re expecting him to potentially pitch for us in the postseason, they’re all leverage innings,” Roberts said. “So I don’t think we’re going to run from putting him in any spot.”
For a bullpen starved for trust, Sasaki might have arrived just in time.